Rocky III

Rocky III is currently streaming in Australia on Stan and HBO Max, and in the US on Netflix and Philo, and it rewards the patience it asks of you. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Sylvester Stallone — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Rocky III earns its spot. Rocky III trusts its audience to sit with discomfort instead of resolving it too quickly. Following Rocky Balboa's intense battle with his most powerful adversary yet – the ferocious Clubber Lang – Rocky joins forces with former rival Apollo Creed in an effort to get back his fighting spirit. Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1982. What elevates Rocky III is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Rocky III. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Sylvester Stallone anchors a cast that never overplays its hand. The kind of drama that stays with you well after the finale.