IGN's review of "Tony", directed by Matt Johnson, examines the film's focus on a narrow, formative chapter of chef Anthony Bourdain's youth rather than attempting a full cradle-to-grave biopic. Drawing from the opening chapters of Bourdain's 2000 memoir "Kitchen Confidential", the film portrays its teenage protagonist without the reverence typical of celebrity biographies, instead presenting him as cocky, selfish and flawed yet driven, in a performance the reviewer praises as one of Johnson's strongest works to date.

Set in Cape Cod during the mid-1970s, the story follows teenage Tony (played by Dominic Sessa) as he lies about a college fellowship to pursue his crush Nancy (Emilia Jones), ending up working as a dishwasher for a melancholic chef named "Chef" (Antonio Banderas) and learning about adult life through colleagues including Sal (Leo Woodall). The reviewer highlights strong supporting performances and praises the film's kitchen-set energy, comparing its tone to Johnson's earlier film "BlackBerry" and to "The Social Network" in its portrayal of youthful, reckless ambition. Tony opens in select US cinemas on 7 August before a wider release on 21 August.