Tony: A24’s Unconventional Anthony Bourdain Biopic Promises a Fresh Take in 2026

The success of Michael has reinforced the idea that biopics are often formulaic: portray the subject as a flawless genius, cherry-pick key Wikipedia moments, and sprinkle in crowd-pleasing details. But Tony, the A24 biopic about chef and author Anthony Bourdain, takes a different route. Directed by Matt Johnson—whose BlackBerry (2023) offered a subversive take on corporate biopics—the film promises a messier, more self-aware narrative.

In the first trailer, we glimpse Bourdain’s early struggles: his failed attempt at securing a Fellowship, financial desperation leading him to a kitchen job, and encounters with a young woman (Emilia Jones) and harsh kitchen staff—including The White Lotus’ Leo Woodall and comedian Stavros Halkias. Under the guidance of a demanding mentor (Antonio Banderas), Bourdain hones his craft, eventually crafting the vivid descriptions of food that made him famous.

The trailer’s tone sets Tony apart. When Bourdain (played by The Holdovers breakout Dominic Sessa) calls the story a “coming of age” tale, or when Jones’ character questions whether he’s a “good guy or a bad guy,” the film signals its refusal to conform to biopic clichés. This approach aligns with Johnson’s style, as seen in BlackBerry, which treated its corporate subjects not as heroic visionaries but as flawed, even incompetent figures.

Bourdain himself was no stranger to rejecting pretense. His fame stemmed not just from showcasing global cuisines but from his ability to articulate the universal through the specific—using meals to spotlight the people behind them. Tony won’t simply retell the story of the silver-haired iconoclast we knew, but it will explore how he arrived there. With Johnson at the helm, the film aims to carve a new path for biopics, one that mirrors Bourdain’s own ethos.

Tony is scheduled to hit theaters in August 2026.