Another year at the London Film Festival, another surprise film screening. I Play Rocky was the surprise film at the 70th BFI London Film Festival. Some have said this was a very easy and safe choice, but I’d call it a great crowd-pleasing one. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like Rocky, and it’s even harder to find someone who simply doesn’t know the story of the great Rocky Balboa. Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky (1976) is one of the most influential films in Hollywood history, and the story behind its making is equally fascinating. It’s a story that not many are aware of. We know and love the end result, but not how that result came to be, and the story is so crazy that it almost feels fictional.
I Play Rocky is a biographical film about the making of Rocky (1976), directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Peter Gamble. The idea of this film feels very much like a reboot, spin-off and biopic all in one, in the sense that it feeds off the love for the original film. However, the level of enjoyment I had for this film really surprised me. Fans of Rocky will adore this, but those who have never seen Rocky will also enjoy watching a man overcome his doubters. I Play Rocky is a love letter to those who dare to dream and to those who aspire to be much more than what the world expects of them.
A Love Letter To ‘Rocky’
Anthony Ippolito’s transformation into Sylvester Stallone is truly remarkable. Stallone is one of the most iconic and recognisable figures in Hollywood, thanks to his name, face and very distinct voice, and Ippolito nails it all. There are several moments in the film when it genuinely feels like you’re watching the real Stallone himself. Ippolito truly becomes Sylvester Stallone, and it’s a performance that I don’t think will go away quietly during the upcoming awards season.
There are many Easter eggs and fun callbacks in the film that are great fun to spot. There are also plenty of things to learn about Rocky, such as the impact it had on the use of Steadicams in cinema moving forward. We also learn just how difficult it was to get the ice-skating scene included, despite how integral it is to the development of Rocky and Adrian’s relationship. For a younger generation who have only ever known movie star Sylvester Stallone, rather than the Sylvester who was once doubted as a leading man, there is plenty to discover.
There are also so many things that general audiences might not know, such as the fact that one of the most influential films ever made was written in just three and a half days, or that Rocky was born out of Stallone being inspired by a Muhammad Ali fight. Then there’s just how inexpensive the film was to make. It cost approximately a million dollars to create what would become a juggernaut. With the recent coverage of Curry Barker’s Obsession becoming a huge hit off a $750,000 budget, these success stories still resonate.
Familiar Moments And Big Laughs
Now, the necessity of this film can certainly be debated. Many of the emotional beats, especially in the third act, almost exactly recreate the moments in Rocky that we already know and admire. The emotional impact doesn’t necessarily come from this film itself, but rather from the scenes and moments it borrows. However, when you’re recreating something as good as Rocky, it’s easy to accept it and go along for the ride because it’s hard to complain about being made to watch those scenes all over again.
There are so many laughs throughout the film, along with creative callbacks that make you chuckle. As the two eager studio producers interested in taking on Stallone’s story, Toby Kebbell and P.J. Byrne make a hilarious duo with fantastic on-screen chemistry. They bounce off of each other so well, and whether they’re sharing a scene together or appearing alongside Ippolito or Tracy Letts, the dynamic is perfect. They were a delight to watch.
Tracy Letts is the true MVP of the film. He delivers one of the funniest performances I’ve seen in a while. His deadpan and exasperated facial expressions are comical. It’s hard not to wonder whether the comedy benefits from Farrelly’s touch, given his history of comedic films. The film also has a great title-drop moment. Multiple times, actually, which I thought was fun.
An Ending That Falls Short
The biggest negative of the film is the ending. This felt like the moment for the film to grab the story and take it in its own direction: to explore the aftermath of the success of Rocky, how that felt for Stallone and how it affected his relationship with his family. Instead, the film decides to just end. It’s almost as if, once the Rocky film reaches its conclusion, there is nothing else left for Gamble to say and no more ideas in the bank to explore. Another 15–20 minutes dedicated to this would have really elevated the film.
‘I Play Rocky’ Review – Final Thoughts
Ultimately, I Play Rocky is a nostalgic crowd-pleaser that will leave you wanting to go home and immediately hit play on Rocky (1976). While the concept of the film fits right into the ongoing critique of Hollywood’s reported obsession with reboots and biopics, if any film ever warranted this type of companion piece, it honestly would be Rocky. If you open your mind to it, it’ll be quite difficult to actually dislike this film. My biggest compliment is how well it works alongside the original. Upon release, this film will capture the hearts of audiences and make huge waves, just as the original Rocky did back in 1976.
It captures the hopefulness of the original Rocky and of Stallone and Balboa themselves. The two mirror each other in so many ways, which is precisely why this film works. You truly understand why Stallone fought so hard to play the titular character. He is Rocky, and this is his story.
I Play Rocky releases in UK cinemas on Friday, 6 November 2026. Check out a trailer below:
