Sep 13

Oscar Winner’s Latest Is an Insult to Stallone’s Classic:

“Green Book” director Peter Farrelly pulls back the curtain on the making of “Rocky.”

thedailybeast.com/obsessed/i-play-rocky-oscar-winners-latest-is-an-insult-to-stallones-classic/

Review Calls I Play Rocky a Hollow Rocky Imitation

Peter Farrelly’s 127-minute film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is scheduled for theaters on November 6.

Key FactsSep 13, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: thedailybeast.com

The film recounts Rocky’s creation and portrays Stallone as a struggling actor in early-1970s New York City.

In the film, Stallone writes Rocky in three days, inspired by Chuck Wepner’s 15-round TKO loss to Muhammad Ali.

Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff agree to collaborate after initially rejecting Stallone, having read his screenplay.

The review faults exaggerated supporting characters, one-dimensional performances, and superficial glorification of Stallone.

Yo, Adrian!
— Rocky Balboa (fictional character) from the film Rocky

28 similar articles

Story Details

Last Updated
Total Articles	35

Main Topics

I Play Rocky

#i-play-rocky

Sylvester Stallone

#sylvester-stallone

American actor and filmmaker (born 1946)

Film

#film-61381bc8f0b9d

visual art work that simulates experiences and communicates ideas, stories, or emotions through moving images, generally synchronized with sound since the 1930s

News on this topic

Rotten Tomatoes Sep 15

I Play Rocky First Reviews: An Inspirational Crowd-Pleaser Led by a Magnetic Anthony Ippolito

editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/i-play-rocky-first-reviews/

2 0

ComingSoon by Mandatory Sep 14

I Play Rocky Reviews Are All Saying the Same Thing About Sylvester Stallone Movie

comingsoon.net/movies/news/2190388-i-play-rocky-reviews-sylvester-stallone-movie-anthony-ippolito

ComingSoon by Mandatory Sep 14

I Play Rocky: Why Director Says New Movie Has a Better Story Than Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar Winner

comingsoon.net/movies/news/2190727-i-play-rocky-director-movie-better-story-sylvester-stallone

More articles on this subject

IndieWire

Credibility B

Sep 13

'I Play Rocky' Review: Stallone Story Gets Punchy Crowdpleaser: Peter Farrelly continues his reign of making audience-delighting hits for the TIFF crowd ...

indiewire.com/criticism/movies/i-play-rocky-review-sylvester-stallone-1235216617/

thefilmstage.com Sep 13

TIFF Review: I Play Rocky Is a Crowdpleasing Winner: Does every die-hard fan of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone’s zeitgeist-capturing, Oscar-winning ...

thefilmstage.com/tiff-review-i-play-rocky-is-a-crowdpleasing-winner/

comingsoon.net

Sep 13

I Play Rocky Review: Incredible Sylvester Stallone Movie Wows: ComingSoon reviews I Play Rocky, a biographical drama about Sylvester Stallone and the making of ...

comingsoon.net/movies/reviews/2190378-i-play-rocky-review-an-incredible-sylvester-stallone-movie

0 1

The Daily Beast

Sep 13

Oscar Winner’s Latest Is an Insult to Stallone’s Classic: “Green Book” director Peter Farrelly pulls back the curtain on the making of “Rocky.”

thedailybeast.com/obsessed/i-play-rocky-oscar-winners-latest-is-an-insult-to-stallones-classic/

Deadline Hollywood

Sep 13

‘I Play Rocky’ Review: Peter Farrelly’s Sensational Biopic Of The Making Of Stallone’s Classic Is Just As Inspiring As The Original Movie – Toronto Film ...

deadline.com/2026/09/i-play-rocky-review-peter-farrelly-biopic-tallones-classic-1237100498/

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47 3

TheWrap

D+

Sep 13

‘I Play Rocky’ Review: Biopic About the Making of Sylvester Stallone’s Classic Is a Hollow Crowdpleaser

thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/i-play-rocky-review-sylvester-stallone/

CBR Sep 15

New Rocky Movie Star Gets High Praise from Critics: 'Like We're Seeing Stallone Himself'

cbr.com/i-play-rocky-reviews-rotten-tomatoes/

Screen Sep 13

‘I Play Rocky’ review: Peter Farrelly turns story behind Sylvester Stallone’s breakout into a sentimental, uninspiring pastiche

screendaily.com/reviews/i-play-rocky-review-peter-farrelly-turns-story-behind-sylvester-stallones-breakout-into-a-sentimental-uninspiring-pastiche/5220366.article

Metro

D+

Sep 14

First reactions to Sylvester Stallone Rocky biopic dub the film 'a masterpiece': Rocky biopic I Play Rocky, starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone ...

metro.co.uk/2026/09/14/first-reactions-sylvester-stallone-rocky-biopic-dub-film-a-masterpiece-29602730/

Collider

Sep 13

'I Play Rocky' Is Officially a Knockout | TIFF Review: Peter Farrelly's I Play Rocky is a heart-warming biopic about Sylvester Stallone's early years ...

collider.com/i-play-rocky-movie-peter-farrelly-sylvester-stallone-biopic/

MovieWeb

Sep 13

Amazon's New 'Rocky' Spin-Off Earns Knockout Reviews After Festival Debut: Critics are bitterly split on this biopic.

movieweb.com/i-play-rocky-divisive-reviews/

Deadline Hollywood

Sep 13

‘I Play Rocky’ Review: Peter Farrelly’s Sensational Biopic Of The Making Of Stallone’s Classic Is Just As Inspiring As The Original Movie Itself – Toronto Film ...

deadline.com/2026/09/i-play-rocky-review-peter-farrelly-biopic-tallones-classic-1237100498/

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The Guardian

B−

Sep 14

I Play Rocky review – crowd-pleasing Stallone biopic is heavy on fan service, light on real emotion

theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/13/i-play-rocky-review-stallone-biopic

The Hollywood Reporter

B+

Sep 13

‘I Play Rocky’ Review: Anthony Ippolito Is an Endearing Pre-Stardom Sylvester Stallone in Peter Farrelly’s Crowd-Pleasing Making-Of Drama

hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/i-play-rocky-review-anthony-ippolito-sylvester-stallone-1236699723/

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The Hollywood Reporter

B+

Sep 13

Anthony Ippolito on Speaking to Sylvester Stallone Before Filming ‘I Play Rocky’: “Very Overwhelming and Daunting”

hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/anthony-ippolito-sylvester-stallone-i-play-rocky-daunting-1236699402/

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Variety

Sep 13

'I Play Rocky' TIFF Premiere: Peter Farrelly's Sylvester Stallone Biopic: Peter Farrelly returns to Toronto with 'I Play Rocky,' starring Anthony ...

variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-play-rocky-tiff-premiere-peter-farrelly-stallone-oscars-1236859905/

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The Hollywood Reporter

B+

Sep 13

Toronto Awards Analysis: ‘I Play Rocky’ Channels Namesake, Could Follow in Its Oscar Footsteps

hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/toronto-awards-analysis-i-play-rocky-1236699433/

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Variety

Sep 13

'I Play Rocky' Review: Anthony Ippolito Channels Sylvester Stallone: Peter Farrelly taps into the love of "Rocky" that's never gone away ...

variety.com/2026/film/reviews/i-play-rocky-review-anthony-ippolito-peter-farrelly-1236859563/

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The Hollywood Reporter

Credibility B+

Oct 16

London Film Festival’s Surprise Movie Is… ‘I Play Rocky’: The guessing game surrounding BFI London Film Festival (LFF) audience's biggest leap of faith is ...

hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/london-film-festival-surprise-movie-i-play-rocky-ippolito-1236733561/

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Variety

Oct 09

‘I Play Rocky’ Star Anthony Ippolito on Sylvester Stallone’s Reaction: Awards Circuit Podcast: ‘I Play Rocky’ star Anthony Ippolito on landing the lead role in ...

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MovieWeb

Sep 29

Sylvester Stallone Finally Shares First Reaction To Upcoming 'Rocky' Biopic: Sylvester Stallone has some strong opinions on 'I Play Rocky' and its lead actor.

movieweb.com/i-play-rocky-sylvester-stallone-reaction/

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MovieWeb

Sep 30

Amazon's New 'Rocky' Spin-Off Earns Knockout Reviews After Festival Debut: Critics are bitterly split on this biopic.

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Variety

Sep 26

Anthony Ippolito on His 'I Play Rocky' Big Break: 'I Play Rocky' star Anthony Ippolito on the 'responsibility' of playing Stallone ...

variety.com/2026/film/awards/anthony-ippolito-oscar-buzz-sylvester-stallone-i-play-rocky-1236875841/

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Polygon.com

Sep 25

'I Play Rocky' Review: Your Dad's New Favorite Movie Has Officially Arrived: There is a lot about I Play Rocky that is just "fine," but there's also a lot to ...

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Sep 21

Amazon's New 'Rocky' Spin-Off Earns Knockout Reviews After Festival Debut: Critics are bitterly split on this biopic.

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Collider

Sep 20

'I Play Rocky' Team Details Anthony Ippolito's Unbelievable Sylvester Stallone Transformation

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IndieWire

Sep 18

‘I Play Rocky’ Is a Crowdpleaser, Does That Mean Oscars?: Although Peter Farrelly's 'I Play Rocky' could be a TIFF People's Choice Awards ...

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Deadline Hollywood

Sep 15

Peter Farrelly Talks About Why The Making Of ‘Rocky’ Was The Next Real Life Story He Wanted To Tell In ‘I Play Rocky’ – TIFF Studio

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Al Pacino Actor Recreates Sylvester Stallone’s Iconic Rocky Pose in New Poster: Al Pacino actor recreated Sylvester Stallone's iconic Rocky Balboa pose in a ...

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