By Anthony Caruso
The Apprentice offers an eye-opening glimpse into Donald Trump's life during the 1970s and 1980s, capturing his rise to prominence, wealth, and fame. Anyone who has followed Trump, particularly his presidency and post-presidency, is familiar with his lamentation: "Where’s my Roy Cohn?" After watching The Apprentice, that phrase should resonate with people more, as it's made clear why Trump always muses about it to close confidantes. This film paints a fascinating picture of the symbiotic relationship between Trump and his notorious lawyer, Roy Cohn, and how their partnership helped shape the course of American history. In many ways, this movie is Trump's origin story, depicting a descent into moral compromise and showing us not only how someone can achieve the American Dream, but also how that pursuit can corrupt them. Even for those who have meticulously followed Trump’s life, The Apprentice's portrayal of his transformation is captivating.
Writer Gabriel Sherman and director Ali Abbasi create a nuanced and compelling portrait of Trump, one that humanizes him without glossing over the darker aspects of his personality. The film walks a fine line, portraying a young, ambitious Trump who craves love and approval, particularly from his father, yet ultimately makes a deal with the devil to get everything he’s ever wanted. There’s no real plot here per se— "The Apprentice" is more of a character study and a sequence of key moments in Trump's life that span two decades — but the sharp, well-written script balances humor and drama skillfully. While the film warns viewers that some events are fictionalized, anyone familiar with Trump's history will recognize many of the stories as being grounded in fact. In addition to Sherman's script, Abbasi’s direction also shines here. He manages to capture the feel of 1970s and '80s New York with a fever-dream type of energy. The grainy filter used throughout makes the movie feel as though it could have been made during that era itself, adding to the authenticity.
What makes this movie work, however, is Sebastian Stan's performance as Donald Trump. He truly delivers a masterful one, perfectly capturing his essence without leaning into the caricature we've seen many actors rely on. It’s extraordinary to watch Stan evolve the character over the course of the film's two-hour runtime as he moves from a driven young real estate mogul to the egotistical billionaire we know today. By the film’s end, Stan has fully embodied the Trump persona—mannerisms, voice, and all—and is practically unrecognizable as himself. It’s an immersive, transformative performance that will likely earn Stan some serious Oscar buzz.
Equally riveting is Jeremy Strong, who delivers a tour-de-force performance as Roy Cohn, the ruthless lawyer who helped mold Trump into the figure we know today. Strong portrays Cohn as both terrifying and oddly pitiable, and his journey from being Trump’s mentor to his fixer, and ultimately to being discarded by him, is fascinating to watch. Like Stan, Strong humanizes Cohn without glossing over his many flaws. Even Roger Stone, a real-life associate of Cohn, has praised Strong’s performance, calling it uncanny—proof that the "Succession" star truly inhabited the role and, like Stan, will most likely earn himself some awards buzz.
The entire ensemble deserves praise, though. There's not one weak link to be found. And though this is obviously both Stan's and Strong's movie, it also features standout performances from Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump and Martin Donovan as Fred Trump Sr. And as for the soundtrack? It imbues the film with nostalgic energy, adding a fun layer to the proceedings and helping transition us through time from scene to scene.
Overall, The Apprentice is not just a compelling character study but also a cautionary tale about the dark side of ambition and power. It’s a must-watch, especially with the upcoming presidential election. Despite the lack of marketing and its underperformance at the box office, it’s easily one of the best films of the year, and I’m eager to revisit it once it hits streaming. Although it's unlikely to happen, I would love for the same cast and creative team to return for sequels that build upon the character work done in this movie, covering more eras of Trump’s life— such as "Trump the entertainer" and "Trump the president" - because there’s truly so much more to explore.