The Apprentice Review

Ali Abbasi‘s The Apprentice takes on the daunting task of exploring the rise of Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) in New York City, with a particular focus on his relationship with the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). The film plays like a villain origin story, tracing Trump’s path to fame and wealth, thanks to Cohn’s ruthless influence.

The narrative rewinds to the 1970s, long before Trump became a global figure brushing shoulders with world leaders, painting him as a man desperate to climb the social and business ladder. Abbasi presents a younger Trump willing to trust anyone to make it big. Over time, Trump transforms into a self-absorbed, narcissistic figure, heavily shaped by Cohn’s philosophy of never admitting failure—a lesson the real Trump still seems to live by. Despite the intriguing premise, the film suffers from an identity crisis. It can’t seem to decide whether it’s a comedy, a body horror, or a documentary, blending these genres in ways that don’t always gel smoothly. Strangely enough, it sometimes even makes Trump seem almost sympathetic, which is surprising given the subject matter.

Sebastian Stan’s performance is impressive in parts, but it falls short in one crucial area: he just isn’t Trump. In the trailer, Stan seemed to have nailed Trump’s voice and mannerisms, but on screen, it feels like those elements are held back. It’s clear that Stan was trying to avoid turning the role into a caricature, especially with the fine line between playing Trump seriously and mimicking Alec Baldwin’s SNL sketch. Unfortunately, that cautious approach leaves the portrayal feeling incomplete. Perhaps a lesser-known actor could have captured Trump’s huge persona more convincingly, as Stan’s Hollywood status was quite distracting throughout the film.

On the other hand, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn is a standout. His portrayal is full of intense physicality—his sharp, forward-leaning posture, the constant moving of his neck, and expressive eyes bring Cohn’s menacing presence to life. Strong’s performance dominates, especially in scenes that show him shaping Trump’s worldview. Maria Bakalova’s portrayal of Ivana Trump, while brief, leaves an impact. Her character was paraded to the audience and then put aside, not before showing us a deeply unsettling, horror rape scene that left the audience in stunned silence and complete stillness.

Visually, the film is a mixed bag. Some scenes feel too allegorical, like a moment after Fred Trump Jr’s funeral where Donald obsessively scrubs his hands, perhaps symbolizing his guilt over neglecting his brother. Another, a gruesome surgery scene, feels like a forced “point of no return” moment, just like witnessing Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side as he wears his Darth Vader costume for the first time in Star Wars.

The film’s visual style also shifts awkwardly, moving between standard cinematic shots and grainy, old TV filters that seem to nod to Trump’s later television career, specifically to the homonymous TV show hosted by him years later. These choices feel inconsistent, sometimes detracting from the overall narrative. Despite its flaws, The Apprentice is worth watching, especially in the lead-up to the US elections. It offers a glimpse into the early influences that shaped Trump and provides a thought-provoking, if uneven, look at a man who has dominated headlines for decades.

★★ 1/2

Playing as part of the 2024 BFI London Film Festival on October 15th and 17th / In UK cinemas October 18th / Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Balkova / Dir: Ali Abbasi / StudioCanal / 15

27th November Update – The Apprentice is coming to Home Premiere on 2^nd December.

About the Author

Federica Battiato

View All Posts