The first glimpse of Tony is finally here, and it doesn’t feel like a typical biopic at all. Backed by A24, the film seems more focused on a raw, formative chapter of Anthony Bourdain’s life rather than a full career recap. The trailer drops you straight into 1976 Provincetown, capturing a young Bourdain at a stage where nothing is figured out yet, but everything is about to change. And instead of glamorising his journey, it leans into the messy, uncertain beginning that shaped who he later became.
At the center of it is Dominic Sessa, who takes on the role of Bourdain. After gaining attention with The Holdovers, this feels like a massive leap, and from the early footage, he seems to carry that restless, searching energy the role needs. There’s a quiet intensity in how he’s shown navigating kitchens, relationships, and his own confusion, which makes the performance feel less like imitation and more like interpretation. It’s not trying to recreate Bourdain exactly, but to understand him.
The film also brings in Antonio Banderas in a key supporting role, playing a restaurateur who becomes an important influence in Bourdain’s early life. That mentor dynamic looks central to the story, almost like the turning point that sets everything in motion. It’s not just about learning to cook, but about finding direction, identity, and maybe even purpose in a chaotic environment.
What’s interesting is the timeline the film chooses. Instead of focusing on the fame that came later through shows like No Reservations or Parts Unknown, or even his breakthrough book Kitchen Confidential, the story goes further back. It explores the phase before all that, when Bourdain was still figuring out his path, long before he became a global figure. That decision gives the film a more personal tone, rather than a highlight reel of achievements.
Behind the camera, Matt Johnson is directing, with the screenplay written by Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. Knowing A24’s track record, the film is likely aiming for something character-driven and emotionally layered rather than overly polished. It’s less about spectacle and more about atmosphere, which fits Bourdain’s story in a way that feels honest.
There’s also an emotional weight attached to the project that’s hard to ignore. Bourdain wasn’t just a chef, he was someone who connected cultures, food, and people in a way that felt real and unfiltered. His death in 2018 left a huge gap, and any attempt to tell his story carries that shadow. The trailer doesn’t directly address it, but you can feel that sense of depth in the way his early life is portrayed.
Set for an August theatrical release, “Tony” is shaping up to be one of those films that might not scream for attention but slowly builds strong word-of-mouth. If it manages to capture even a fraction of the complexity and honesty that defined Anthony Bourdain, it could turn into something much more than just another biopic.
