“Tony” — A Coming-of-Age Portrait of a Young Anthony Bourdain

“Tony” dramatizes a summer in 1975 when 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain, portrayed as the conceited yet vulnerable freshman Tony, runs away after a failed writing fellowship and lands a dishwasher job at The Flagship in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He befriends volatile prep cook Sal (Leo Woodall) and confronts his own narcissism and restlessness, shifting from a “spoiled, miserable, narcissistic” lout to a more grounded young man.

The Guardian

The film adapts the opening chapters of Bourdain’s memoir *Kitchen Confidential*. Canadian writer-director Matt Johnson, known for indie comedies such as *The Dirties*, co-wrote the screenplay with Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe. “Tony” is Johnson’s first feature in which he does not appear on-screen, though he serves as co-producer.

Slate

• Dominic Sessa (from *The Holdovers*) plays the teenage Bourdain.

IndieWire

• Antonio Banderas is Ciro, the restaurateur who offers Tony shelter and a kitchen apprenticeship.

Slate

• Leo Woodall appears as Sal, Tony’s mentor in the after-hours scene.

IndieWire

• Supporting roles include Emilia Jones as Nancy, Dagmara Dominczyk and Rich Sommer as Tony’s parents, and a small ensemble of kitchen staff that reflects 1970s Provincetown culture.

Slate

The film opens in a limited theatrical run in early August, expanding nationwide later that month. A24 has partnered with OpenTable and Square for an “Industry Night” series of free screenings for hospitality workers. The inaugural event will take place in 25 U.S. cities, each hosted by a local chef who will introduce the film and discuss front- and back-of-house contributions. Biplaw Rai, co-founder of a hospitality-focused group, described the screenings as a celebration of Bourdain’s life and a platform for the immigrant-driven labor force.

Boston Globe

Reviewers note the balance of nostalgic summer atmosphere with gritty kitchen life. The Guardian calls it an “unexpectedly sentimental” origin story, while IndieWire highlights the script’s focus on Tony’s self-mythologizing, allowing his arrogance to serve as a foil for growth. Slate points out the condensation of Bourdain’s three real Provincetown summers into a single arc, praising the supporting cast for providing comic relief and a cautionary counterpoint.

The Guardian

“Tony” arrives eight years after Bourdain’s death, positioning the film as both tribute and cultural artifact that revisits his early years. By foregrounding the labor of dishwashers and line cooks, the movie aligns with conversations about immigration and working-class recognition in the restaurant sector. The industry-focused screenings give hospitality workers a rare chance to see their experiences on screen.

Boston Globe

• Limited release: early August 2026, with nationwide expansion later that month.

Boston Globe

• “Industry Night” screenings: 25 cities, tickets allocated first-come, first-served to hospitality workers.

Boston Globe

• Cast includes three principal kitchen figures and at least five additional staff members.

Boston Globe

• Soundtrack features period-appropriate tracks, including the Brothers Johnson and a disco rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

Slate

A24 will continue the “Industry Night” tour through August, adding screenings in major restaurant hubs. No sequel or related project has been announced.

Boston Globe