Explore Anthony Bourdain’s Extraordinary Life in the First Featurette for A24’s Tony
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Phil Roberts 
Step into the kitchen with director Matt Johnson, alongside stars Dominic Sessa and Antonio Banderas, for an exclusive first look at Tony.
Before he was Anthony Bourdain, he was Tony, and now, the formative years that shaped the beloved chef, author, and storyteller are coming to the big screen. That’s right, A24 has unveiled the first featurette for Matt Johnson’s Tony, offering an early look at the film that explores the beginnings of Bourdain’s extraordinary journey.
Set in Provincetown, the film follows a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain as a chance encounter with the fast-paced, chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen changes the trajectory of his life forever. What begins as a summer job soon sparks the passion that would eventually make him one of the most influential voices in food and travel.
Starring Dominic Sessa as the young Bourdain alongside Antonio Banderas, Tony looks set to deliver an intimate and compelling portrait of the man before the fame. The new featurette teases Bourdain’s transformation from a directionless teenager into the endlessly curious, food-obsessed storyteller whose wit, honesty, and appetite for adventure captivated audiences around the world. Take a look at the featurette below.
THE FILM
A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.
Starring: Dominic Sessa, Emilia Jones, Dagmara Dominczyk, Rich Sommers, Stavros Halkias, Leo Woodall, Antonio Banderas
THE BOURDAIN FAMILY
Alongside the debut featurette, Anthony Bourdain’s family shared a heartfelt statement about the film, offering their thoughts on Matt Johnson’s portrayal of his early years and the story Tony aims to tell.
“Anthony Bourdain’s legacy is meaningful to millions of people. He was a man who valued authenticity above all else and would have been both moved and baffled by the world’s curiosity about his life.
We chose to support TONY because it is not a standard biopic and doesn’t attempt to summarize a life. 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.
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.“
RELEASE
From Kitchen Confidential to Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain inspired millions to see food as a gateway to people, places, and cultures. Rather than focusing on the celebrity he would eventually become, Tony promises to explore the defining experiences that shaped his curiosity, ambition, and unmistakable voice. If the first featurette is any indication, Matt Johnson’s film is aiming for something deeply personal—a coming-of-age story that honors the man behind the legend. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Tony is shaping up to be one of A24’s most compelling releases yet, and we will be first in line to see it.
A24’s Tony turns up the heat in cinemas on August 14th.
So, what do you think? Will you be stepping into the kitchen to experience Anthony Bourdain’s origin story, or are you still deciding what’s on the menu? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
