First Trailer for Anthony Bourdain Biopic ‘Tony’ Shows a Sweary, Searching Young Chef in 1975 Provincetown

Key facts

• Dominic Sessa, breakout star of The Holdovers, portrays a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain.
• The film is set during one transformative summer in 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
• Matt Johnson, director of BlackBerry and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, directed and co-wrote Tony.
• The cast includes Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall, Dagmara Dominczyk, Rich Sommers, and Stavros Halkias.
• Bourdain’s estate endorsed the film, stating it is ‘not a standard biopic’ and ‘an interpretation’ of a largely unknown period.
• Tony is scheduled for theatrical release in August by A24.
• Bourdain died by suicide in June 2018 at age 61.
• The trailer features Sessa’s Bourdain declaring, ‘I’m actually not a fucking cook, I’m a writer.’

A Summer in Provincetown: The Making of a Culinary Icon

The first trailer for Tony, the forthcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic from director Matt Johnson, has landed, offering a gritty, expletive-laced glimpse into the late chef’s formative years. Dominic Sessa, the breakout star of The Holdovers, plays a 19-year-old Bourdain as he lands his first kitchen job on Cape Cod in the mid-1970s. The film, set entirely during one summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts, focuses on a period long before Bourdain became a world-famous chef, author, and television personality. The trailer opens with Sessa’s Bourdain defiantly stating, “I’m actually not a fucking cook, I’m a writer. But I said I know how to cook.” This line encapsulates the restless, searching spirit that defined Bourdain’s early adulthood. Johnson, who previously earned acclaim for his unconventional retelling of the BlackBerry story in 2023, brings his signature style to this biographical drama, co-writing the script with Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe.

A Cast of Rising Stars and Seasoned Veterans

Alongside Sessa, the film boasts a strong ensemble cast. Antonio Banderas plays a master chef who mentors the young Bourdain, tapping into the salt-and-pepper-haired wisdom he displayed in Pain and Glory. Emilia Jones and Leo Woodall also star, with Woodall appearing as a fellow kitchen worker. The cast includes Dagmara Dominczyk, Rich Sommers, and Stavros Halkias, rounding out the Provincetown restaurant milieu. Johnson told Entertainment Weekly that he chose Sessa because of his deep similarities to Bourdain. “Both from Jersey, both sent to private school, but didn’t fit in, both restless and searching,” Johnson said. He described the film as a partnership with the actor, noting, “He is in every shot of the movie, and carries the entire story on his hunched shoulders.” Sessa, who has since appeared in Now You See Me 3 and the Christmas comedy Oh. What. Fun., brings intensity and vulnerability to the role.

Estate Endorsement: ‘Not a Standard Biopic’

The Bourdain estate released a statement explaining its decision to support the project. “We chose to support Tony because it is not a standard biopic and doesn’t attempt to summarise a life,” the statement read. “Guided by the vision of director Matt Johnson, the film depicts one transformative summer in 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts. It is an interpretation, as that part of Tony’s life will always remain somewhat unknown.” The statement continued, “We appreciate the portrayal of Tony’s complexity, his intellectual appetite and his conviction — qualities that eventually took him around the globe and endeared him to so many. We hope this film serves as a reminder that every journey has a start, and that audiences see the beginnings of the man who taught us how to be better explorers on our own paths.” This rare endorsement signals the estate’s trust in Johnson’s vision and the film’s respectful yet unvarnished approach.

A Deliberately Narrow Focus on a Pivotal Season

Rather than attempting to cover Bourdain’s entire life, Tony zeroes in on a single, decisive summer. The film depicts Bourdain as a “real shithead,” according to early descriptions, struggling to find his place in the kitchen and in life. Under the guidance of Banderas’s master chef character, Bourdain begins to channel his energy into cooking, setting the stage for his later success. This narrow focus allows the film to explore themes of mentorship, identity, and the transformative power of work. Johnson’s previous film, BlackBerry, similarly took an unconventional approach to a well-known story, earning critical praise for its propulsive narrative. Early reactions to Tony suggest a similar energy, with the trailer showcasing oysters, lobsters, and shirtless antics that promise a vibrant, sun-drenched period piece.

Release and Anticipation: A Summer Theatrical Run

A24 will release Tony in theaters this August. The trailer’s release coincided with the Tony Awards nominations, a playful coincidence that the studio leaned into. The film is produced by Johnson, Miller, Tim White, and Trevor White. Bourdain’s life has been previously explored in the 2021 documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, but Tony marks the first narrative feature to focus on his early years. The film arrives at a time when public fascination with Bourdain remains strong, nearly seven years after his death at age 61. By capturing the messy, uncertain beginnings of a man who would become a global icon, Tony aims to remind audiences that every extraordinary journey starts with a single, often difficult, step.

The bottom line

• Dominic Sessa plays a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain in the biopic Tony, set during a transformative summer in 1975 Provincetown.
• Director Matt Johnson, known for BlackBerry, co-wrote the film, which focuses on Bourdain’s first kitchen job and his struggle to find his path.
• The cast includes Antonio Banderas as a master chef, along with Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall, and others.
• Bourdain’s estate endorsed the film, calling it ‘an interpretation’ that captures his complexity and intellectual appetite.
• Tony is scheduled for a theatrical release in August by A24.
• The film offers a narrow, unconventional biopic approach, avoiding a full-life summary in favor of a single pivotal season.