---
title: "Tony"
year: 2026
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/tony"
fi1m_id: "tony"
imdb_id: "tt33095251"
tmdb_id: 1329016
wikidata_id: "Q136311776"
fi1m_score: 76
critics_score: 74
critics_reviews: 18
published: "2026-09-14"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:23.836169+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Tony (2026)

Directed by Matt Johnson · 1h 46m · MPA R · Drama, Comedy

## Identity

Tony

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/tony
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** tony
- **IMDb ID:** tt33095251
- **TMDB ID:** 1329016
- **Wikidata ID:** Q136311776
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33095251/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1329016, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136311776

**Fi1m score: 76** · Critics 74 from 18 reviews

*In a sentence:* The kitchen has several jobs available, and misunderstood genius is not one of them

> Dominic Sessa gives *Tony* its bite, playing a young Anthony Bourdain whose confidence exceeds his usefulness. Matt Johnson makes the kitchen work funny and affecting, though the familiar growing-up story leaves too little space for its women.

## Synopsis

Tony (Dominic Sessa) wants to be a writer, but a summer working in a Provincetown kitchen gives him something else to consider. He is young, ill-tempered and certain of his own importance, entering a workplace where that confidence does not make him useful. Under the mentorship of Chef (Antonio Banderas), he begins learning what the work demands of him. Leo Woodall plays Sal, with Emilia Jones as Nancy. Matt Johnson’s comedy-drama concentrates on a formative stretch of Anthony Bourdain’s youth, as ambition, kitchen work and the people around him begin to give his life direction.

## Review

Matt Johnson’s *Tony* is worth an evening for its performances and its busy, funny kitchen scenes. Beyond them, the growing-up story is familiar and sometimes thin. It takes a small part of Anthony Bourdain’s youth and lets a kitchen job occupy most of our attention, rather than marching through the achievements of a famous life. That modest scope suits a young man who wants to write and has plenty to say before he has much experience worth sharing. No knowledge of Bourdain is needed to recognise the type.

Dominic Sessa plays Tony as a young man whose quick speech cannot quite conceal how unsure he is. He makes the arrogance funny by showing how much effort Tony puts into it, as though an unguarded moment might undo him. We laughed at the swagger, then felt unexpectedly sorry for him. The defensive scowl and the fast talk suggest somebody desperate to impress, and Sessa lets us recognise that need without making the behaviour any less tiresome.

Antonio Banderas, as Chef, gives Sessa useful resistance. Banderas finds some sadness in the mentor role, enough to keep Chef from becoming merely the man who supplies a useful lesson. Leo Woodall’s Sal offers another example for Tony to follow, brash enough to make an impression on somebody already inclined towards showing off. The supporting performances make Tony’s interest in the people around him credible.

Michael Bauman’s cinematography makes the kitchen activity easy to follow, and Ryan Warren Smith’s production design makes the place convincing as somewhere people work. There is pleasure in watching a job being done, even when the people doing it are abrasive. Curt Lobb and Robert Upchurch cut the kitchen montages briskly enough to suggest Tony’s attention sharpening, without making the work feel incidental to his education. Jay McCarrol’s music keeps the mood light, occasionally lighter than Tony’s unhappiness warrants. These passages give his interest in the kitchen more substance than another speech about finding himself would have done.

The women get much less help from the writing. Writers Todd Bartels, Lou Howe, Matt Johnson and Matthew Miller give the men room to be irritating, funny and uncertain. Emilia Jones’s Nancy has too little to compete with the kitchen company, and the women matter chiefly for what they contribute to Tony’s development. A film so alert to its young hero’s pretensions ought to be more curious about the people who accommodate them.

The storytelling is more conventional than the abrasive humour initially suggests. Learning humility through work and meeting an older mentor are dependable coming-of-age material, and the film does not always find a fresh reason to return to them. Its narrow focus avoids the usual procession of biographical milestones, but it also leaves some stretches short of incident. Sessa can hold our attention even when Tony seems to be learning much the same lesson again.

At 106 minutes, *Tony* does not overstay its welcome. We recommend it to anyone with an appetite for awkward character comedy, with the warning that its curiosity about people is uneven. Those who have spent enough time indulging a clever young man’s moods may reasonably prefer a night off.

*Fi1m score 76, published 14 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Tony’s tightly focused account of a formative summer in Anthony Bourdain’s life, praising its humour and avoidance of cradle-to-grave biopic routine. Dominic Sessa draws the most consistent approval for making young Bourdain’s arrogance, vulnerability and emerging sense of purpose convincing. The kitchen scenes are another point of agreement: the reviews value their energy, working relationships and sense of discovery, with Antonio Banderas also earning praise as a mentor.

Reservations centre on familiar coming-of-age beats, a slight story and underdeveloped female characters. The spread is wide, though approval dominates: some critics find depth in the modest scope, while others want more bite. Little White Lies finds the film entertaining but directionless, despite Banderas’s contribution. Time Out is the clearest dissenter, arguing that it fails to capture Bourdain’s passion for his craft and gives little reason to care about its abrasive protagonist.

## Straight answers

**Is Tony worth watching?**

*Tony* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys awkward character comedy and a kitchen shown as a real place of work, and we scored it 76. Dominic Sessa is funny and unexpectedly touching as a young Anthony Bourdain whose confidence outruns his usefulness, though the coming-of-age story is familiar and gives its women too little to do.

**How long is Tony, and what is it rated?**

*Tony* runs 1h 46m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a drama and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Tony in the US?**

*Tony* is available to buy from Amazon Prime Video from $24.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Tony, and is it suitable for children?**

*Tony* is a 15 in the UK and R in the US, a comedy-drama about an ill-tempered young man in a Provincetown kitchen rather than anything violent or frightening. Expect abrasive language and adult behaviour, not gore or scares. It is unsuitable for children and unlikely to hold younger teenagers, who would find its kitchen arguments more tiresome than alarming.

**How does Tony compare to Breaking Away?**

*Tony* and [*Breaking Away*](https://film.one/film/breaking-away) are both comedies about a clever young man's pretensions meeting the awkward business of finding somewhere to belong. *Breaking Away* is the warmer and more generous film, curious about everyone in its college town, while *Tony* is sharper and more abrasive but narrower. Choose *Tony* for Sessa's performance and the kitchen scenes, and the earlier film if you want the fuller picture of a summer.

**What should I watch after Tony?**

After *Tony*, try [*Tampopo*](https://film.one/film/tampopo) (1985, Fi1m 84): Kitchen work becomes a comic education, with appetite and curiosity given equal room. Then [*Breaking Away*](https://film.one/film/breaking-away) (1979, Fi1m 86): A young man’s pretensions meet the awkward business of finding somewhere to belong; and [*The Lunchbox*](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox) (2013, Fi1m 75): Food draws lonely people towards one another in a quieter, more patient drama.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **Los Angeles Times**, Amy Nicholson (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it the most heartwarming comedy of the year, an affectionately sleazy portrait of a spoiled young lout who gets the ass-kicking he needs. It singles out Dominic Sessa's feral, fast-talking performance and the kitchen scenes that blend boot camp, hazing, and kung fu. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-08-06/tony-review-anthony-bourdain-dominic-sessa-matt-johnson-antonio-bandaras)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (85/100, inferred): The critic praises this economical biopic for capturing a single formative year in young Anthony Bourdain's life as an audaciously entertaining snapshot of his abrasive character in the making. She singles out the crisp editing, nostalgic tone without sentimentality, strong performances (especially Dominic Sessa), and Matt Johnson's off-kilter direction for keeping the story fresh. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/tony-is-an-audacious-profile-of-the-bad-boy-who-became-anthony-bourdain)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (Critics Pick): The critic calls it a tasty summer-breeze biopic true to the young Bourdain's spirit and already-formed personality. It singles out Dominic Sessa's star-making performance as an angry, voluble, charismatic bad boy and the vivid, spontaneous kitchen scenes. [Read](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/tony-review-dominic-sessa-antonio-banderas-1236821892/)
- **Radio Times**, Patrick Cremona (4/5): The critic praises it as a charming, moving coming-of-age tale told with a commendably light touch that largely dodges biopic clichés. It delivers a rewarding story even without knowledge of its ties to Bourdain. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/tony-anthony-bourdain-biopic-review/)
- **The AV Club**, Monica Castillo (B): By avoiding the Bourdain we know, the film finds truth in his origin story as a floundering young man who learns humility and purpose in a Provincetown kitchen. Sessa's performance balances cocky angst with vulnerability under the mentorship of Banderas' chef. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/tony-review-dominic-sessa-anthony-bourdain-matt-johnson)
- **The New Yorker**, Justin Chang (75/100, inferred): The critic finds it a narrow, crowd-pleasing coming-of-age slice that filters Bourdain's experience through familiar beats yet remains counterintuitive entertainment. It singles out the comedy, Dominic Sessa's scowling vulnerability, and the revelatory kitchen montages showing Tony finding his subject. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-current-cinema/tony-late-fame-and-the-rocky-road-to-literary-stardom)
- **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The critic highlights Dominic Sessa's impressive performance in an unromantic, warts-and-all portrait that mostly avoids biopic conventions. It offers a bittersweet look at how close Bourdain came to squandering his potential. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/tony-review-dominic-sessa-impresses-as-young-chef-anthony-bourdain/5218894.article)
- **Slant Magazine** (70/100, inferred): The film is most interested in the passions that kept Bourdain’s demons at bay, focusing on a promising but ill-tempered young man setting himself toward being somebody through fits and starts in a Provincetown kitchen. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/tony-review-dominic-sessa-matt-johnson/)
- **Vulture** (70/100, inferred): The film portrays young Tony as someone who wants to be a writer rather than a chef, with Sessa excelling as a calculating but transparent character who finds direction through kitchen work and mentorship. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/bourdain-biopic-tony-isnt-about-falling-in-love-with-food.html)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/3/3): The critic finds it a breezy but directionless biopic that entertains in the moment without much depth or bite. Antonio Banderas is singled out for stealing the show with pathos amid the cringe-com elements. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/tony)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (30/100, inferred): The critic calls the film thin and flavourless, a bland dish that renders Bourdain's story without capturing his passion or joy in the craft. It settles into a vinegary spin on a summer teen flick with little to root for in the antihero. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/tony-review-2026)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich: Matt Johnson's most straightforward movie is a summery ode to pretentious young louts everywhere, with Dominic Sessa shining in a briny, bittersweet coming-of-age comedy about a young Anthony Bourdain. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/tony-movie-review-anthony-bourdain-1235207248/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic praises Dominic Sessa's performance as young Anthony Bourdain, noting the film's focus on a formative summer in Provincetown where he discovers his vocation in the kitchen. It highlights the idiosyncratic charm but notes the narrative feels a bit wispy. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tony-review-dominic-sessa-anthony-bourdain-matt-johnson-1236653323/)
- **Consequence** (A-): The review portrays the film as a light dramedy focusing on a pivotal summer in young Tony's life, emphasizing themes of growth, the pleasures of creation and consumption, and avoiding a full biopic scope. It singles out the strong performances, especially Sessa as an arrogant but evolving protagonist, and the authentic kitchen dynamics. [Read](https://consequence.net/2026/07/tony-review-anthony-bourdain-matt-johnson/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (85/100, inferred): The review calls it a splendid, richly human origin story focused on a pivotal summer that shaped the future celebrity chef. It singles out the excellent performances, particularly from Dominic Sessa and Antonio Banderas as a wise mentor, for making the portrait engaging and hopeful. [Read](https://deadline.com/2026/08/tony-review-dominic-sessa-teenage-anthony-bourdain-biopic-1237017694/)
- **The Playlist**, Marshall Shaffer (B+): The critic finds the film a satisfying slice of a formative summer that fulfills and exceeds biopic expectations. They single out the strong supporting performances, especially Leo Woodall as a brash role model for young Tony. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/tony-review-matt-johnson-anthony-bourdain-dominic-sessa-20260730/)
- **Collider**, Aidan Kelley (8/10): The critic praises the film as a compelling coming-of-age story that's poignant, funny, and satisfying, highlighting Dominic Sessa's authentic performance as young Bourdain and strong supporting turns, while noting the kitchen scenes evoke the spirit of Bourdain's work. The main complaint is the underdeveloped love interest character. [Read](https://collider.com/tony-movie-review-anthony-bourdain-dominic-sessa-antonio-banderas/)
- **NME**, Jordan Bassett (75/100, inferred): The critic finds Matt Johnson's mini-biopic of young Anthony Bourdain mostly enjoyable as a smartly scripted and well-crafted coming-of-age story with strong performances, but notes it is held back by an overly macho focus and underdeveloped female characters. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/tony-review-anthony-bourdain-dominic-sessa-leo-woodall-3961811)
- **The Ringer**, Danny Chau (70/100, inferred): The piece examines the film as a narrow, focused coming-of-age story about a flawed, pretentious 19-year-old Bourdain finding his way in a kitchen environment, praising its avoidance of broad biopic tropes and its capture of youthful missteps and mentorship. It notes the oyster motif and kitchen culture as key elements. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2026/08/07/movies/tony-anthony-bourdain-movie-film-kitchen-confidential)
- **The Wrap** (70/100, inferred): The critic views the film as an almost-great biopic that effectively shows young Bourdain as an arrogant jerk who learns humility during a formative summer job in a Cape Cod restaurant. It praises the strong performances and self-aware tone but criticizes the handling of female characters and a somewhat contrived finale. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/reviews/tony-review-anthony-bourdain-dominic-sessa-a24/)
- **/Film**, Bill Bria (7 out of 10): The critic calls it a tasty if familiar coming-of-age story that benefits from Matt Johnson's textured direction and strong performances. They single out Dominic Sessa's bemused, non-caricature take on young Bourdain and the excellent supporting cast for praise, while noting some reheated elements from recent kitchen dramas. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/2222501/tony-movie-review-a24/)

## Details

- **Director:** Matt Johnson
- **Director:** Matt Johnson
- **Writer:** Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, Lou Howe
- **Cinematography:** Michael Bauman
- **Editor:** Curt Lobb, Robert Upchurch
- **Music:** Jay McCarrol
- **Production design:** Ryan Warren Smith
- **Costume design:** Chloe Karmin
- **Producer:** Trevor White, Tim White, Matt Johnson
- **Cast:** Dominic Sessa as Tony; Antonio Banderas as Chef; Emilia Jones as Nancy; Leo Woodall as Sal; Stavros Halkias as Stavros; Michael Jibrin as Tyrone; Monica Raymund as Mary; Rich Sommer as Pierre
- **Runtime:** 1h 46m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 21 August 2026
- **Genres:** Drama, Comedy
- **Box office:** $16 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MVnzd2aVc

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: buy $24.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-14.*

Also available in: US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Tampopo* (1985), Fi1m 84: Kitchen work becomes a comic education, with appetite and curiosity given equal room. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/tampopo.md)
- *Breaking Away* (1979), Fi1m 86: A young man’s pretensions meet the awkward business of finding somewhere to belong. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/breaking-away.md)
- *The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz* (1974): Another ambitious young man makes himself difficult company without losing our interest.
- *Linda Linda Linda* (2005): Learning to play together gives this coming-of-age story its humour and warmth.
- *The Lunchbox* (2013), Fi1m 75: Food draws lonely people towards one another in a quieter, more patient drama. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/tony