The Apprentice is a 2024 biographical drama film directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman. Starring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, the film examines Trump's career as a real estate businessman in New York in the 1970s and 1980s. The film also stars Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, and Martin Donovan.
The film had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, and is scheduled for an October 11 release in the United States.[3]
Set during the early years of Trump's business career, the film focuses on the relationship of Trump and Roy Cohn, a New York City prosecutor known for working with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Second Red Scare.[4]
The film was first announced in May 2018, with Gabriel Sherman slated to write the screenplay.[5] In October 2023, Ali Abbasi was confirmed to be joining the film as director and, as initially reported, co-writer.[6] However, it was later confirmed that Sherman would be the film's sole writer. The film began principal photography in November 2023, where Stan, Strong, and Bakalova were announced as the lead roles.[4][7] Filming wrapped on January 28, 2024. In February 2024, it was announced that Martin Donovan had joined the cast portraying Fred Trump.[8]
The film was submitted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, held from May 14 to 25, 2024.[9] It was included in competition for the Palme d'Or in April 2024, alongside 18 other films.[10] The Apprentice premiered on May 20, 2024, at the festival.[11] Prior to this, StudioCanal acquired UK and Irish distribution rights to the film.[12] It also screened at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024.[13] In June 2024, after much difficulty in finding a domestic distributor over concerns regarding its content as well as an attempt by Trump's legal team to block its release, Tom Ortenberg's Briarcliff Entertainment was reported to be close to acquiring U.S. distribution rights for a fall 2024 release, although a deal could not immediately be confirmed; the deal was confirmed in August 2024, with the film scheduled for a theatrical release on October 11, 2024.[14][15] The first trailer for the film was released on September 10, 2024, coinciding with the second presidential debate between Trump and Kamala Harris.[16]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of reviews from 56 critics have been positive, with an average rating of 6.8 out of 10. The website's consensus reads: "Instead of cross-examining its subject, The Apprentice gives Sebastian Stan the chance to shine in a simplistic yet entertaining foray into the world of a young Trump."[17] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 62 out of 100 based on 23 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[18]
David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter praised Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong's performances in the film with Stan "going beyond impersonation to capture the essence of the man".[19] Beyond the portrayal of Trump and Cohn, Rooney writes that the film examines the rise of 'winners' and 'losers' thinking in American life from the cynicism of the Nixon years to the rise of corporate greed during the Reagan presidency in the 1980s.[19]
Billionaire Dan Snyder, formerly the owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team, donated money to the production of The Apprentice with the impression that the film would be a positive portrayal of Trump. Snyder is a close friend of Trump who donated $1.1 million to his inaugural committee and Trump Victory Committee in 2016 and $100,000 to his 2020 presidential campaign. After seeing a cut of the film in February 2024, Snyder was said to be furious, and lawyers for the Kinematics production company sought to oppose the release of the film.[21]
The film includes controversial scenes, including those that depict Trump violently raping his first wife, Ivana, abusing amphetamines in order to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot.[22][23] The rape scene was based on divorce records. In a deposition relating to their divorce, Ivana accused Donald of rape and of pulling out her hair by the handful when his plastic surgery to alter his hairline failed.[24]
In 2015, Ivana Trump issued a statement clarifying earlier allegations made during her 1989 divorce proceedings. She explained that her use of the term "rape" was not meant in a literal or criminal sense and was made during a time of high emotion. Ivana stated, "Donald and I are the best of friends, and together we have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald, and I wish him the best of luck on his campaign. [...] I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and he would never rape me."[25]
On May 20, 2024, Variety reported that Steven Cheung, the communications director of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, threatened legal action over the film.[22] On May 24, Variety reported that Trump's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, seeking to block "all marketing, distribution, and publication of the Movie."[26]
Subsequent to this, Abbasi offered to screen the film for Trump, believing that he might approve of its depiction of him.[27] He also said that realistic movies need to be produced about the threat of fascism.[28] The film's producers responded to the letter by issuing a statement saying, "The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide."[29]