The Apprentice is parable of the opposite coin of the American Dream, the underbelly filled with greed and moral bankruptcy that creates monsters instead of great men. Director Ali Abbasi’s film showcases the Donald Trump we all unfortunately know wasn’t always this way, he was molded and created to become this corrupt egomaniac. A political relationship film blended with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; The Apprentice may not have much to say but is a scathing origin story on one of the viler men in recent history. 

Even before heading into Ali Abbasi’s latest film, it’s hard to not feel some sort of way already. Not only is the film about one of the most publicly discussed modern American figures but the film has had quite the time in the news filled with cease-and-desist letters followed by attempts to block its release by the Trump presidential campaign (the US presidential election is only four weeks out…). The Apprentice is finally opening in theaters and isn’t exactly a biopic on Donald Trump but an origin story of one man and how the system turned him into the monster we all know. 

The Apprentice is a film first and foremost about winning at any cost. You see this mantra explored not just through Trump (Sebastian Stan) but also his mentor, Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). Abbasi isn’t setting out to just explore the Trump we all know but how he became the monster he is. Writer Gabriel Sherman focuses in on Cohn grooming and molding Trump after meeting in the 70’s. Their first meeting is framed as an evil sort of fate brought them together and it was a true deal with the devil. Stan’s Trump isn’t a parody or SNL impression we’ve become so conditioned to; his Trump is meek, awkward, and a total loser. As Trump is on a date, he tells the completely uninterested woman, “Anybody who’s anybody comes here. They say I’m the youngest person ever admitted.” Cohn takes notice of him from his more secluded area and invites Trump over. Trump is desperate, uncomfortable attempting to fit in with the rich and successful men at Cohn’s table; all men who Trump would presently wield power and influence over, Abbasi shows him stumbling and barely making eye contact. 

As Cohn and Trump become closer, as Cohn is assisting the Trump family with a federal case alleging, they discriminate against Black tenants, Cohn begins to let Trump in on his secrets, his keys to success. Cohn only wants to win and doesn’t care at what cost. He has three major rules to achieve this. One: “Attack, attack, attack.” Two: “Admit nothing, deny everything.” Three: “No matter what happens, you claim victory, and never admit defeat.” As we’re in the midst of Trump’s latest presidential campaign, it’s easy to see these rules as the backbone of not just his campaign but what makes him tick. In the film, however, we get to see Trump attempt to use these rules in real time as he attempts to become Cohn. He begins to become successful in real estate by instilling these rules in his business practices. As Trump grows more confident, he then uses these rules in personal relationships as well, including with eventual wife, Ivana (Academy Award Nominee Maria Bakalova). 

Abbasi’s film doesn’t offer much insight into Trump outside of what you may already know but The Apprentice is much more focused on exploring the how of Trump became the way he is versus who he was and became. While the film touches on his absentee father who he yearned to connect with and earn approval from or his massive debts as he set up business deal after business deal, The Apprentice is aware of how Americans, and most of the world, are almost numb to his antics and moral bankruptcy. However little the film has to say, Abbasi does not hold back. From sexual assault depicted on screen to liposuction to seeing the former president’s head stapled together to hide a bald spot, Trump is portrayed as grotesque as many of us think of him. Abbasi lays out all the gory details of Trump and his rise to becoming one of the most influential modern American monsters. The way Trump’s ambition combined with his vanity and heartlessness evolves into real sociopath behavior in the film. The Apprentice is not subtle with Nixon in the background and Cohn repeating his ‘nothing matters except winning’ mantra up until Trump is discussing ‘make America great again’ with a political contact. Cohn isn’t shackled by rules or morality, and you slowly see this transition into Trump’s way of living. There’s no restraint from Abbasi as he shows how Trump became this monster.

Stan deserves all the flowers in the world for one of the most unsuspecting performances of the year. His version of Trump is never a parody of the man often mimicked; his performance is quite subtle and early on only has hints of the vocal cadence we know Trump for along with minimal gestures and lip pursing. Only as the Trump in the film fully transforms do you see the distinct mannerisms and vocal tone you know Trump for. Stan never humanizes Trump but plays him as a real person slowly turning into evil. Strong is deliciously evil in one of the most terrifying roles of the year. Strong always seems to disappear into a role but as Cohn he becomes a whole new animal quite literally resembling a snake. Strong’s performance allows you to feel something for Cohn as he becomes sick, but the evil is always up front. 

The Apprentice is parable of the opposite coin of the American Dream, the underbelly filled with greed and moral bankruptcy that creates monsters instead of great men. Abbasi’s film showcases the Donald Trump we all unfortunately know wasn’t always this way, he was molded and created to become this corrupt egomaniac. A political relationship film blended with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; The Apprentice may not have much to say but is a scathing origin story on one of the viler men in recent history. 

Grade: B

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: Best Supporting Actor (Jeremy Strong)
Should be Considered: Best Lead Actor (Sebastian Stan), Best Film Editing

Release Date: October 11, 2024
Where to Watch: In Theaters