Plot and Scope
Tony depicts one transformative summer in 1975 when a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain gets his first kitchen job in mid-70s Cape Cod. The film is not a standard biopic attempting to summarize his entire life, but rather an interpretation of a specific period. In the film, Bourdain's character struggles to find his place, famously stating he is not actually a cook but a writer.
Cast
Dominic Sessa, the breakout star of The Holdovers, carries the film as young Anthony Bourdain. Antonio Banderas plays a master chef character opposite Sessa. The supporting cast includes Emilia Jones and Leo Woodall. Director Matt Johnson selected Sessa partly due to their shared backgrounds—both are from New Jersey, attended private school, didn't fit in, and were restless and searching.
Creative Direction
Director Matt Johnson, known for his unconventional 2023 film BlackBerry, brings his distinctive style to this biopic. Johnson stated that the film was a partnership with Sessa, who appears in every shot and carries the entire story. The approach focuses on depicting Bourdain's complexity, intellectual appetite, and conviction during this formative period.
Estate Approval
Anthony Bourdain's estate chose to support the film because it does not attempt a standard biographical summary. The estate released a statement appreciating the portrayal of Bourdain's complexity and expressing hope the film would remind audiences that every journey has a start and show the beginnings of the man who became a global explorer.
Production and Release
Tony is produced by A24 and will receive a theatrical release in August 2026. The first trailer, released in May 2026, features sweary dialogue and scenes of Bourdain struggling in the kitchen while discovering his identity. This follows the 2021 documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain. 
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