A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé — someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
REVIEW:
The Apprentice (2024), directed by Ali Abbasi, is a provocative exploration of the early years of Donald J. Trump, focusing on his relationship with the infamous attorney Roy Cohn. The film, which stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Cohn, delves into the formative influences that shaped Trump’s rise in the cutthroat world of New York real estate.
The narrative unfolds in two distinct chapters. The first hour, set in the 1970s, portrays a young and relatively naive Trump learning the ruthless art of the deal from Cohn. This segment is compelling, with Stan capturing Trump’s growing confidence and ambition under Cohn’s manipulative mentorship. Strong’s portrayal of Cohn is particularly chilling, embodying a shark-like figure who sees in Trump a moldable protégé.
The second half of the film, set in the 1980s, depicts Trump’s ascent as a symbol of Reagan-era capitalism. Here, the film loses some of its earlier momentum, struggling to maintain a clear point of view. Despite this, the performances remain strong, with Maria Bakalova delivering a nuanced portrayal of Ivana Trump, adding depth to a character often reduced to a stereotype.
Abbasi’s direction is visually striking, effectively capturing the gritty atmosphere of 1980s New York. The film’s cinematography, with its dark, moody tones, complements the narrative’s exploration of power and corruption. This visual style helps immerse the audience in the era and the world of high-stakes real estate and political maneuvering.
Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong deliver performances in The Apprentice that transcend mere caricature, delving into the complexities of their characters with a depth that borders on the tragic.
Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump: Stan’s portrayal of a young Donald Trump is a masterclass in subtlety and transformation. He captures Trump’s evolution from a somewhat naive real estate heir to a figure molded by the ruthless mentorship of Roy Cohn. Stan’s Trump is not just a caricature of the bombastic public persona we know today; instead, he presents a more nuanced, almost tragic figure—a man driven by an insatiable need for approval and success, yet increasingly isolated by his own ambition. This portrayal allows the audience to see the vulnerabilities and insecurities that fuel Trump’s rise, making him a more complex and, at times, pitiable character.
Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn: Strong’s performance as Roy Cohn is chillingly effective. He embodies Cohn with an uncanny accuracy that goes beyond mere imitation. Strong’s Cohn is a Machiavellian figure, whose mentorship of Trump is both manipulative and deeply influential. The tragedy in Strong’s portrayal lies in Cohn’s own contradictions—a man who wields immense power and influence, yet is ultimately consumed by his own tactics of denial and defiance. Strong avoids turning Cohn into a one-dimensional villain; instead, he presents him as a deeply flawed individual whose legacy is both formidable and tragic.
Together, Stan and Strong create a dynamic that is both compelling and tragic. Their interactions highlight the mentor-protégé relationship’s complexities, with Cohn’s ruthless pragmatism shaping Trump’s burgeoning ambition. This dynamic is not just about power and manipulation; it also reveals the personal costs and moral compromises that define their paths.
However, the story sometimes feels disjointed, with certain scenes coming across as vignettes rather than parts of a unified whole. This can make the film feel uneven and detract from its overall impact
The first half of the film is tightly paced and engaging, but the second half loses momentum, struggling to maintain the same level of intensity. This uneven pacing can make the film feel longer than it is and may cause some viewers to lose interest.
Abassi’s boldness makes the film stand out and sparks conversation, which is fitting given the subject matter. His willingness to delve into uncomfortable truths about his characters adds to the film’s impact.
At times, the film seems to rely too heavily on shock value, with scenes that feel gratuitous rather than necessary for the story. This can detract from the film’s more subtle and nuanced moments, making it feel sensationalist.
The Apprentice gets a 3.5/5 or a B+.
CREDITS:
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
- Daniel Bekerman
- Amy Baer
- Jacob Jarek
- Tony Grier
- Julianne Forde
- Ruth Treacy
- Louis Tisné
Starring
Cinematography
Kasper Tuxen
Edited by
- Olivier Bugge Coutté
- Olivia Neergaard-Holm
Music by
Martin Dirkov
Production
companies
- Scythia Films
- Profile Pictures
- Tailored Films
- Rich Spirit
- AQuest Films
- Head Gear Films
- Metrol Technology
- AC Films Inc
- Wild7 Films
Distributed by
- Mongrel Media(Canada)
- StudioCanal(Ireland)
- Nordisk Film(Denmark)
- Briarcliff Entertainment(US)
Release dates
- May 20, 2024(Cannes)
- October 11, 2024(Canada and United States)
- October 17, 2024(Denmark)
- October 18, 2024(Ireland)
Running time
123 minutes[1]
Countries
- Canada
- Denmark
- Ireland
- United States
Language
English
Budget
$16 million
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