Could Anthony Ippolito win Best Actor for his role as Sylvester Stallone? TIFF’s rave reviews for Peter Farrelly’s new Oscar contender I Played Rocky show that he’s a strong dark horse contender!
Director-screenwriter Peter Farrelly returns to Oscar conversation after huge win in 2018 green clothk, this time, is about how Sly became a household name after writing and starring in Loki.
I play Rockyjust debuted at TIFF, and the critics in attendance absolutely loved it. The festival has generated huge buzz, with critics already treating it as an awards season blockbuster.
But the real shocker? Anthony Ippolito. Critics lost their minds over his portrayal of Sylvester Stallone, calling him a dark horse candidate for Best Actor.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best first reactions and spoiler alerts: They pretty much shine across the board.
Mark your calendar; I play Rocky Opens in theaters across North America on November 6th.
Would love to hear Anthony Ippolito’s voice in real life as he completely transforms into Sylvester Stallone. #IPlayRocky #TIFF2026 pic.twitter.com/gZLEzE8Ldc
— Lauren Bradshaw (@flickchickdc) September 13, 2026
In recent memory, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an audience watch a movie as ecstatically at TIFF as they just did for I Played Rocky. OMG. #TIFF26
— Trey Mangum (@treymangum) September 13, 2026
Director Peter Farrelly returns to the ring with a winner: “I Play Loki,” an uplifting, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud, feel-good crowd-pleaser! Anthony Ippolito as Stallone was fantastic! The audience stood up and applauded many times! An Oscar-worthy knockout #TIFF pic.twitter.com/R2FrSMss7t
— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) September 13, 2026
Peter Farrelly’s I Played Rocky is the ultimate filmmaking underdog story and a huge hit with audiences! This movie wouldn’t be a success without Anthony Ippolito’s stellar performance as the scheming Stallone, and the kid does a great job every step of the way.
Movie fans will enjoy all… pic.twitter.com/xL4SZ3Tl09
— Eric Davis (@ErikDavis) September 13, 2026
I PLAY ROCKY is a great underdog story about the making of a great underdog story. Anthony Ippolito transforms into Sylvester Stallone. His performance made his career and in some scenes he is indistinguishable from Stallone. So many hearts, so many people… pic.twitter.com/QF3lbcQvMF
— HoloFiles @ TIFF (@theholofiles) September 13, 2026
Loki is the best movie I’ve seen so far this year. The ultimate retelling of one of Hollywood’s most iconic underdog stories.
Anthony Ippolito completely embodies Sylvester Stallone, capturing everything about him, from his voice to his physicality to his determination… pic.twitter.com/AjbMGVzcMV
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) September 13, 2026
“I Play Rocky” is awesome. The cast is incredible. This is a winner.
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) September 13, 2026
I just blew the roof off Toronto playing Rocky! It’s a bit like Peter Farrelly’s cheat code for copying iconic moments and emotions from Rocky to create his own audience-friendly movie, but there’s no denying that it works. So much applause (I lost count after a certain point)… pic.twitter.com/7D1UOdoXo9
— Matt Niglia @TIFF (@NextBestPicture) September 13, 2026
A Star Is Born by Anthony Ippolito #IPlayRocky. One of the truest underdog stories in Hollywood cinema is a triumph that has as much magic and fervor as the 1976 film. Peter Farrelly’s best performance as a director. TIFF People’s Choice Award Contenders (and Oscars) #TIFF pic.twitter.com/z71NurHAcB
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) September 13, 2026
“I PLAY ROCKY” is an absolute knockout.
The ultimate self-made crowd pleaser. An underdog story made in a classic about underdogs.
Anthony Ippolito is perfect as the young Stallone. Truly inspiring. A beautiful movie about chasing your dreams. One of the best of the year. pic.twitter.com/Pd9QDwqpsv
— Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) September 13, 2026
Peter Farrelly’s #IPlayRocky It’s a real knockout. Part biopic, part reality show, it’s a thrilling, crowd-pleasing triumph. Anthony Ippolito is the soul, creating character value rather than imitation. AnnaSophia Robb is amazing. PJ Byrne is the stealth MVP (again) pic.twitter.com/RJZOqcQ5Pb
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 13, 2026
Points just appeared #IPlayRocky The whole theater was on its feet. Biggest reaction I’ve ever seen #TIFF So far. pic.twitter.com/y7U50bPcW0
— Eric Davis (@ErikDavis) September 13, 2026
The film tells the thrilling true story of an unknown actor who unwaveringly believed he wasn’t just going to write “Rocky” — he was destined to be Rocky Balboa. Told “no” every time, Sylvester Stallone bets it all on himself to stay ahead against seemingly impossible odds. The result is the ultimate underdog story behind the ultimate underdog movie.
Starring: Anthony Ippolito, Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, PJ Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass and Kiki Seto
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