How does a man from a relatively conventional family transform into the figure we know as Donald Trump? In The Apprentice, Ali Abbasi’s first English-language feature, we discover that Trump is, in fact, a product of Roy Cohn, a ruthless prosecutor captivated by Trump’s raw ambition. Cohn meticulously shapes Trump’s public persona, but as in many classic tales of creation, the apprentice ultimately outgrows the master, leading to a spiraling loss of control.
The film opens strong, effectively introducing Trump’s rising ambition and Cohn’s devilish mentorship. Their first meeting stands out as the movie’s most memorable scene, framed almost like a pact with the devil, with Jeremy Strong embodying Cohn as a sinister figure. Strong’s performance is the film’s highlight, delivering a subtle and controlled portrayal that anchors much of its success. He skillfully shapes Cohn through small yet impactful choices, constantly belittling Trump to mold him, treating even mundane actions—like answering the phone—as opportunities for critique. However, as Cohn loses his grip and fades from the narrative, the film’s focus shifts solely onto Trump, straying from its original premise. Additionally, the score and editing, which channel the intensity of Succession in the film’s early moments, also diminish in the second half, contributing to a loss of momentum.
Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Trump, while adequate, pales in comparison to Strong’s Cohn. His approach—similar to Michael Fassbender’s Steve Jobs, where the actor doesn’t mimic his subject’s voice—fails to capture Trump’s larger-than-life persona. Unfortunately, Stan lacks the gravitas to convincingly portray Trump’s ambition. Maria Bakalova, as Trump’s wife, also falters, overacting in some scenes as if aiming for an Oscar.
Despite these missteps, the film concludes with a compelling Godfather-esque parallel of two pivotal events, which would have resonated even more deeply had it maintained its focus on Cohn’s mentorship. Intriguing visual choices, including a VHS-like aesthetic, evoke a nostalgic sense of that era. While the film maintains solid quality throughout, it never fully ascends to greatness. Ironically, by honing in on Trump and relegating some fallout to off-screen moments, The Apprentice ultimately diminishes the dynamic between mentor and apprentice, leaving the true heart of the narrative feeling incomplete.