Toronto film festival spotlights 'The Debut' and 'I Play Rocky'

The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival is generating early attention for a musical comedy from Jesse Eisenberg and a drama about the making of 'Rocky.'

The American DeskPublished Sep 18, 2026, 7:45 PMUpdated Sep 18, 2026, 7:46 PM

The Toronto International Film Festival is underway with several titles drawing strong early reactions, including Jesse Eisenberg's musical comedy 'The Debut' and Peter Farrelly's 'I Play Rocky.'

The Associated Press reported that 'The Debut,' starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, received an enthusiastic reception, while 'I Play Rocky' focuses on Sylvester Stallone's effort to bring the original 'Rocky' to the screen.

TIFF remains an important launch point for awards-season campaigns, independent releases and international distribution deals.

TIFFfilmJesse EisenbergI Play Rocky