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Biographical drama

Tony (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Tony (2026) movie poster

Tony is a 2026 biographical drama directed by Matt Johnson, starring Dominic Sessa as Tony, Emilia Jones and Monica Raymund. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $19.3 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$19.3M
Echo Score
69
Metascore
75
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Tony (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Matt Johnson
Genres
Biography , Comedy , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tony About?

The premise of Tony without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.

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Cast & crew

Tony Cast & Characters

Dominic Sessa leads the cast as Tony, with Emilia Jones as Nancy and Monica Raymund as Mary. Directed by Matt Johnson; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tony

· 16 more
From the director

More from Matt Johnson

One more film directed by Matt Johnson: Lust of the Vampire Girls.

Full filmography
Ratings

Tony Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tony 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

69 /100

Tony Echo Score Breakdown

Tony blends a modest biographical focus with the conventions of a coming‑of‑age drama, delivering a watchable but uneven experience. Critics highlight its period‑accurate production design and tasteful soundtrack, while several viewers note sluggish pacing and a thin narrative arc that limits emotional investment. The film’s strengths in visual style and standout performances are offset by a story that feels restrained, resulting in a mixed but respectable overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases a polished visual aesthetic, with Michael Bauman’s cinematography capturing the coastal setting effectively and the production design evoking the era convincingly. Critics and several viewers commend the musical score for reinforcing tone. Although a few reviewers describe the visual palette as desolate, the prevailing sentiment regards the technical execution as a notable strength, underscoring a solid artistic foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When it comes to character and emotion, Dominic Sessa’s portrayal of the young chef receives consistent praise for its energy and nuance, and the supporting ensemble, especially Antonio Banderas, adds depth. However, some audiences feel the protagonist’s vulnerability is underexplored, describing him as arrogant or one‑dimensional. The mixed reactions balance out to a moderately positive view of the acting, reflecting both strong performances and gaps in character development.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative concentrates on a single transformative summer, offering a clear but narrow arc. Critics note the film’s reliance on biopic shortcuts and occasional lack of context, while several viewers criticize the slow pacing and limited plot complexity. The concise focus provides some charm, yet the overall consensus points to a story that feels instructional rather than fully engaging, placing it in a lukewarm range.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    In sensory experience, the movie benefits from a well‑curated soundtrack and a cohesive visual style that reinforces the coastal atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the effective sound design and vivid color palette, noting that these elements enhance immersion. Though a minority describe the visuals as overly bleak, the dominant feedback emphasizes a pleasing sensory blend that supports the film’s mood, resulting in a strong sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Assessing rewatch factor, the film offers moments of humor and emotional resonance that some viewers find compelling enough for repeat viewings. Yet, the measured pacing and limited narrative depth lead others to advise against multiple watches. The combination of memorable performances with an unremarkable story yields a moderate replay value, reflecting a balanced perception of its lasting appeal.

Plot

Tony Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Tony from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1975, a 19-year-old aspiring writer named Anthony “Tony” Bourdain finds himself enrolled at Vassar College. Driven by his passion for writing, he applies for a significant writing fellowship that would allow him to experience life in New York City. However, he misleads his family and his high school sweetheart, Nancy Putkoski, into believing that he has already secured this fellowship. When the reality hits him that he wasn’t awarded the fellowship, he impulsively decides to head to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he knows Nancy plans to spend her summer.

Full summary

The whole story of Tony, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Tony Box Office & Budget

Tony grossed $19.3 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $15.5 million came from the US and Canada and $3.8 million (20%) from the rest of the world.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$19.3M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$15.5M
International
$3.8M
Budget
$15M
US & Canada 80% Rest of the world 20%
Videos

Tony Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Featurette Cast Conversation with Matt Johnson, Dominic Sessa & Leo Woodall
  • Featurette Interview with Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol
  • Featurette 24 Minutes with Matt Johnson
  • Featurette Membership Moments with Kia
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tony?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the seafood restaurant where Tony begins working?

Seen Tony?

FAQ

Tony FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Tony, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tony?

Tony runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Tony released?

Tony was released on August 7, 2026.

Who directed Tony?

Tony was directed by Matt Johnson.

More films by Matt Johnson

Who is in the cast of Tony?

Tony stars Dominic Sessa as Tony, Emilia Jones as Nancy and Monica Raymund as Mary, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Tony make at the box office?

Tony grossed $19.3 million worldwide ($15.5 million domestic, $3.8 million international) on a budget of $15 million.

How is Tony rated?

Tony has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Does Tony have a post-credit scene?

No. Tony has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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