Before Reaching Adolescence, Stephen Graham Starred In A British Restaurant Drama More Gripping Than The Bear
Just one year prior to Christopher Storer’s outstanding “The Bear” — essential viewing for anyone in creative fields — capturing the audience’s attention, Philip Barantini had crafted an even more gripping and anxiety-inducing restaurant drama, “Boiling Point,” featuring England’s national treasure and co-creator of Netflix’s second most-viewed series, “Adolescence,” Stephen Graham. Grounded in his own 2019 short film of the same title, Barantini’s 2021 feature is an overwhelming, high-energy kitchen thriller that feels like a colossal panic attack on the verge of unfolding. The continuous shot film centers on Andy Jones (Graham), the head chef of a renowned London restaurant, and his team during one catastrophic night where chaos ensues rapidly.
Beginning with the establishment’s food hygiene downgrade by an inspector and escalating into fierce disputes, intense reprimands, and personal crises, “Boiling Point” is an intriguing (if emotionally draining) thrill ride that simply cannot conclude without casualties. Graham presents a raw performance built on profound emotional (and often physical) self-destruction, with the rest of the cast (including Vinette Robinson, Alice Feetham, Ray Panthaki, Hannah Walters, and Jason Flemyng) contributing equally exquisite performances. “Boiling Point” is a captivating, runaway train of a film that unsurprisingly garnered numerous accolades and the admiration of both critics and audiences (currently boasting a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). It also led to a television series two years post-release (sharing the same title) that explored the aftermath of the film’s conclusion after a six-month time leap.
Launching a TV series and sharing accolades with The Bear
Under the guidance of Philip Barantini as co-creator and co-director, the four-episode “Boiling Point” series served as a standalone sequel with most original cast members reprising their roles alongside some new faces. The primary plot difference was that Stephen Graham’s Andy stepped back, allowing Vinette Robinson’s Carly to take charge of the restaurant in his former boss’ indefinite absence. From a stylistic perspective, the series also chose a more conventional approach rather than maintaining the one-take format that made the film so relentless. However, its tone, depth, and emotional resonance remained intact.
The 2023 sequel followed the unexpected yet meteoric rise of “The Bear,” which premiered in 2022, likely influencing the decision to extend “Boiling Point” onto television. Considering the overwhelmingly positive reception of the Jeremy Allen White-led FX drama (with Carmy Berzatto inspired by a real chef), it was a logical move for Barantini and his team to pursue further opportunities. It’s somewhat serendipitous that Graham and White subsequently collaborated a few years later in Scott Cooper’s 2025 music biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” portraying father and son.
Interestingly, during an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show, White mentioned that after viewing “Boiling Point” prior to the launch of “The Bear,” he felt uneasy over the resemblances between the film and the series, particularly the seventh episode, which was also filmed in one continuous take. He remarked, “I was sort of like, ‘Oh, no! Have we just recycled something, and we didn’t even understand what we were doing because we’d just finished it and hadn’t come out yet?'” Ultimately, if you’re a fan of either production, you truly ought to check out the other, as both are remarkable in their own ways.
