I Play Rocky Biopic Premieres at TIFF to Divided Reviews

The biopic "I Play Rocky," which chronicles the making of the 1976 Oscar-winning film "Rocky," premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2026, to a divided critical reception. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film stars Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, depicting his struggle to write and star in the iconic sports movie. The film's world premiere took place at the Princess of Wales Theatre as part of TIFF's Special Presentations program. Initial reviews have been mixed, with the film holding a 67% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a split among critics. Some reviewers praised it as a heartwarming crowd-pleaser and a potential awards contender, while others dismissed it as an uninspired and sentimental pastiche. Despite the divided opinions on the film's overall quality, there is strong consensus on the lead performance. Anthony Ippolito's portrayal of Stallone has been widely highlighted as a standout element, with critics noting his accurate capture of the actor's mannerisms and a performance that anchors the story. The film also features AnnaSophia Robb as Sasha Czack, Stallone's first wife, along with Matt Dillon, P.J.