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Movies about U.S. presidents are nothing new. This year alone, Dennis Quaid starred as Ronald Reagan, and in the past, there have been films about Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush, and, of course, Lincoln. But aside from “W.,” none have approached the level of controversy stirred up by “The Apprentice,” directed by Ali Abbasi. Major Hollywood studios shied away from releasing the film, especially so close to an election, fearing backlash from Donald Trump supporters.
Land of the free, huh?
“The Apprentice” is set in 1970s New York. Aspiring mogul Donald Trump is eager to step out of his powerful father’s shadow and establish his own identity in the Manhattan real estate scene. At the start of his career, he meets Roy M. Cohn, a political fixer who will become a pivotal figure in his life. Recognizing Donald’s potential, the influential attorney—known for securing espionage convictions against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and investigating suspected Communists with Senator Joseph McCarthy—takes him under his wing. Cohn imparts lessons on how to acquire wealth and power through deception, intimidation, and media manipulation.
You might read this and wonder what the fuss is all about. It’s well-documented that Trump was mentored by Roy Cohn, and Trump’s rise to prominence has already been covered in the documentary “Where’s My Roy Cohn?” and the Netflix series “Trump: An American Dream”. Given the extensive attention on these two figures, you might ask what added value this new film brings.
The answers to those questions are intertwined. A fictionalized movie based on real people offers audiences a more intimate view, making it feel as if they’re in the room as pivotal events unfold, rather than hearing about them secondhand. However, this approach comes with compromises. Most of the dialogue is crafted by a screenwriter, and creative liberties are often taken to enhance the story, which can lead to controversy. A particularly contentious scene shows Donald raping his then-wife Ivana—an incident mentioned in her memoir but later retracted. This choice has sparked considerable outrage, highlighting the delicate line between dramatization and real-life events.
I believe the inclusion of this scene is justified as it highlights the turning point where Trump’s character begins to be deeply influenced and corrupted by Roy Cohn. Additionally, Trump has faced accusations of sexual misconduct spanning over three decades, with him even caught on tape admitting to grabbing women by the pussy without their consent. To portray him solely as a ruthless businessman would fail to give the audience a complete picture of his life and character. By showing this aspect, the film acknowledges the complexity and controversies that surround him, rather than sanitizing the story for the sake of comfort.
The movie also reveals a side of Trump we’ve never seen before. It portrays him in his early days, going door-to-door collecting rent from tenants and struggling under his father’s shadow. He has big dreams but lacks the courage to pursue them until Roy Cohn steps in to show him the ropes. We also witness his first encounters with Ivana, and it’s surprisingly sweet. For a moment, he seems genuinely in love—an emotion few would associate with Trump. This portrayal adds unexpected depth, suggesting that his journey to power may have started with far more vulnerability than we might imagine.
What makes “The Apprentice” a compelling watch is the strength of its lead performances. Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn fully disappear into their roles. Over the past decade, we’ve seen countless Trump imitations, especially by comedians, with Alec Baldwin’s take being the most iconic. Stan, however, approaches Trump differently. He avoids exaggerated mannerisms and vocal quirks, opting for a more subdued, realistic portrayal that gives depth to the character. His nuanced performance, along with Strong’s intense portrayal of Cohn, elevates the script from a standard biopic to something powerful and memorable.
In summary, “The Apprentice” is an ambitious and provocative take on Donald Trump’s rise to power, offering both a fresh perspective on his early years and a gritty portrayal of his mentorship under Roy Cohn. Through strong performances—particularly Sebastian Stan’s restrained yet compelling Trump—the film succeeds in moving beyond caricature to present a complex, multi-dimensional character study. It doesn’t shy away from Trump’s controversial history, showing both his vulnerabilities and his morally dubious transformation under Cohn’s influence. By exploring facets of Trump rarely seen onscreen, “The Apprentice” challenges viewers to confront the origins of a figure whose impact on American culture and politics is undeniable.
