The Apprentice

The Donald Trump origin story works as an effective tragedy

Despite Donald Trump’s ubiquitous presence in media and culture since his first presidential run in 2016, he has rarely been depicted in dramatic film or television. While countless comedians and impersonators—most notably on Saturday Night Live (1975–)—have taken shots at him, the only major dramatic portrayal that comes to mind is Brendan Gleeson’s turn in The Comey Rule (2020). Now, a new contender has emerged with The Apprentice (2024).

The Apprentice chronicles how young New York real estate heir Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) met the ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong) in 1970s Manhattan and how Cohn became his mentor, shaping his infamous persona.

The film marks the first English-language project from Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi, known for delving into the dark psychologies of morally complex figures in Border (2018) and Holy Spider (2022). With The Apprentice, Abbasi takes on a monumental task that Hollywood has largely avoided—likely due to Trump’s famously litigious nature (he has already taken legal action against the film’s producers, alleging defamation). However, Abbasi’s take on Trump is less politically driven and more of a character study, focusing on how Trump’s personality and worldview were forged.

At its core, The Apprentice is a mentor-protégé story. Trump is initially portrayed as insecure and under the thumb of his father, Fred Trump (Martin Donovan). Abbasi depicts Cohn as both intrigued by and somewhat pitying of the young real estate mogul, taking him under his wing. The film is framed not as a greed-fueled business drama like The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) but rather as a Shakespearean tragedy, akin to Breaking Bad (2008–2013) or Macbeth. In one particularly striking scene, Abbasi visually alludes to Macbeth's famous line—“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”—as a guilt-ridden Trump desperately scrubs his hands in a moment of panicked self-recrimination.

While The Apprentice could have relied on name-dropping and high-profile cameos for spectacle, it largely resists that temptation, ensuring that each scene serves the narrative. That said, a few appearances, including Andy Warhol and Roger Stone, feel gratuitous. One relationship that falls flat is that of Trump and his first wife, Ivana (Maria Bakalova). Their dynamic never feels essential to the story, serving only as a barometer for Trump’s changing personality. Additionally, Cohn’s presence fades in the final third, leaving the film to drift through biographical milestones rather than maintaining its core character-driven focus.

The film benefits from fearless performances, with actors taking on roles that could prove risky given the intensity of Trump’s supporters. None of the cast resorts to caricature; instead, they imbue their portrayals with a depth of humanity that is both surprising and unsettling. Stan is spectacular as Trump, walking a fine line between imitation and interpretation. His portrayal captures Trump’s voice and demeanor without veering into parody, and as the film progresses, he gradually introduces subtle changes from scene to scene. By the final act, the transformation is so seamless that the resemblance to the Trump we know today is striking. Strong, as Cohn, takes the opposite trajectory—starting as a domineering force but gradually diminishing, losing control of his pupil and watching in horror as his own tactics are co-opted with ruthless efficiency. Bakalova, though given limited screen time as Ivana, brings an intriguing complexity to her role, hinting at layers that might have been more fully explored.

Ultimately, The Apprentice is a compelling tragedy, walking a fine line in its portrayal of a deeply polarizing figure. The film convincingly examines how Trump became the man he is today, though Abbasi struggles with the final act, accelerating Trump’s transformation while sidelining key characters. Nevertheless, aided by meticulously calibrated performances, The Apprentice delivers an empathetic yet unflinching character study of a man who has never left anyone indifferent.  

7.6/10