Ali Abbasi’s latest film, The Apprentice, dives into the murky waters of Donald Trump’s early days, presenting a harrowing narrative of power, ambition, and corruption. Stepping away from the familiar headlines and tabloid covers of modern-day Trump, The Apprentice explores the transformation of an ambitious young man into the polarizing figure that has since dominated global political discourse. The film poses an existential and cautionary tale about how the influence of a powerful mentor can lead one down a path of moral decay.
The movie’s centerpiece is Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of a youthful Trump, long before his persona became synonymous with reality TV melodrama and polarizing tweets. Through his performance, Stan captures the essence of Trump with uncanny precision, focusing on the physical nuances such as exaggerated facial expressions and iconic hand movements. However, it is his ability to portray Trump’s inner struggle and ambition that truly stands out. Stan effectively presents a young man who hasn’t yet chosen his path but is all too willing to break the rules to achieve greatness—a willingness that will define not just his personal journey but America’s political scene for years to come.
The true heart of the film lies in Trump’s relationship with his mentor, the notorious lawyer Roy Cohn, a man infamous for his role in the execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Jeremy Strong brings a chilling, cold-blooded intensity to the character of Cohn, whose influence on Trump cannot be understated in the film. Cohn, a figure replete with contradictions—homophobic and yet secretly gay—sees in Trump a kindred spirit. He wants to mold a man willing to lie, cheat, and manipulate his way to success, a political apprentice who mirrors Cohn’s own Machiavellian outlook.
The film subtly transforms what could have been a straightforward political drama into an unsettling exploration of their relationship. Abbasi uses their interactions to depict a twisted mentor-mentee dynamic—something darker and more intimate than mere professional guidance. The film’s backbone is this degenerate camaraderie built on a shared understanding of each other’s willingness to sink to any moral low.
Scenes shared by Stan and Strong crackle with unsettling energy, showcasing a perverse bond that plays out under the guise of a political biopic.
. The duo’s interactions are imbued with a queasy intimacy, a subtle depravity that reflects shared obsessions and ambitions. Their partnership unfolds with oily camaraderie, a disturbing spectacle reminiscent of a Faustian pact yet to fully reveal its cost.
This foundational acting duo forms the film’s success, but it’s Abbasi’s directorial style that elevates The Apprentice. Known for his relentless approach, as seen in his previous work Holy Spider, Abbasi crafts a cinematic world that mirrors the inner decay of his characters. The 1970s New York serves as a backdrop, its blend of glitz and grime captured by cinematographer Kasper Tuxen, reflecting the superficial allure and internal rottenness of the city’s power players.
Within this richly textured setting, humor serves as a counterbalance. Yet, it is more of a gallows humor, provoking laughter that feels almost guilty, as it underscores the grotesquery of the ascendant Trump. Scenes of Trump obsessing over his appearance or receiving advice on grooming from Cohn inject absurdist comedy, making audiences chuckle before Abbasi uncomfortably reminds them of the gravity of the story unfolding.
Despite the film’s charging pace, the latter half somewhat falters, drawing too heavily upon sensationalized moments from tabloid history. One such instance involves a dramatized scene of Trump and Ivana Trump, portrayed by Maria Bakalova, which jarringly interrupts the psychological depth painstakingly developed in earlier sequences.
Nevertheless, The Apprentice ultimately transcends being merely the story of a dubious man; it is an examination of myth creation. Abbasi paints Trump as both a cunning architect of his own legend and as a product of a society that failed to curb his trajectory until too late. The narrative does not simply depict Trump’s rise but instead questions why his ascent was ever allowed to happen, forcing audiences to reconsider their complacency in witnessing history unfold without intervention.
Set for its theatrical release, The Apprentice was initially poised to open in India but faced delays following a special uncut and uncensored premiere. Despite this, Abbasi delivers a compelling insight into America’s political nightmare, aided by nuanced performances from Stan and Strong, ensuring the film’s impact will be both profound and unforgettable.
