A24 will release the Anthony Bourdain biopic ‘Tony’ in limited theaters on August 7, 2026, with a wider rollout planned for later in the month, marking the first major narrative feature film centered on the late culinary icon’s life. The film stars Dominic Sessa, the breakout actor from 2023’s ‘The Holdovers,’ as a 19-year-old Bourdain during a transformative summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Director Matt Johnson co-wrote and helmed the project, which draws from the early experiences Bourdain chronicled in his 2000 memoir ‘Kitchen Confidential.’ The film does not follow a traditional cradle-to-grave biopic format; instead, it focuses on the specific summer of 1975 when Bourdain, fresh out of Vassar College, stumbled into the chaotic world of restaurant kitchens and discovered the punk-rock ethos that would define his culinary identity.
Bourdain began his career as a dishwasher at the Flagship Restaurant in Provincetown while attending Vassar College. By the end of that summer, he had progressed to line cook, an experience that shaped his entire approach to food and life. That formative period eventually led him to attend the Culinary Institute of America and work in professional kitchens across New York City before his eventual rise to international fame as a chef, author, and television personality.
The ensemble cast includes Antonio Banderas in a role kept under wraps, alongside Emilia Jones as Nancy and Leo Woodall as Sal, a fellow kitchen worker. The film was shot on location in Cape Cod and the South Shore in 2025, capturing the geographic specificity of Bourdain’s origin story.
Sessa’s Rapid Rise After ‘The Holdovers’
Dominic Sessa made his film debut in Alexander Payne’s 2023 holiday dramedy ‘The Holdovers,’ playing troubled boarding school student Angus Tully opposite Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The performance earned him widespread critical acclaim, including a BAFTA nomination, and established him as one of 2023’s most compelling new talents. His casting as young Bourdain represents a significant leap for the actor, who at 23 years old will carry an entire feature film on his shoulders.
In interviews, Sessa has called the role one of the best experiences of his career. His selection for the part underscores the filmmakers’ commitment to finding an actor capable of capturing Bourdain’s youthful restlessness and hunger—both literal and existential—during the pivotal summer that changed everything.
Bourdain’s Estate Backing the Project
Anthony Bourdain’s own estate has endorsed the film, lending credibility and historical accuracy to the project. The focus on Bourdain’s formative years rather than his later fame or tragic death in 2018 reflects a deliberate creative choice to tell a story of discovery and transformation rather than decline. The film celebrates the moment when a young man found his calling in the sweat and noise of a professional kitchen.
Sources
- A24 Films — Confirmed August 7, 2026 limited release date and film plot summary
- Variety — Reported cast details and film announcement
- Wikipedia — Provided film description and production credits
- Boston.com — Reported Anthony Bourdain’s estate statement and filming locations
- Culinary Institute of America — Documented Bourdain’s early career as dishwasher in Provincetown
- People.com — Confirmed Dominic Sessa’s breakout role in ‘The Holdovers’ and casting for ‘Tony’
- IMDb — Verified film credits and release information
