Ali Abassi’s new film depicts how both nature and nurture were at play in shaping a young Donald Trump’s handling of power resulting from his immense success
Donald J. Trump is a business tycoon turned president and creator of the “Make America Great Again” slogan. Ali Abbasi’s new film, released on Oct. 11, “The Apprentice” tells the origin story of Trump, with Sebastian Stan starring as one of the most influential figures in American history.
The release of “The Apprentice” presents an additional degree of timeliness and significance, as the 2024 election was on Nov. 5 and millions of voters were ready to hit the polls. The release of this film could’ve been quintessential in reinforcing previously held beliefs or casting neutral voters to one side. “The Apprentice” introduces Trump as the second son of a successful family in New York City, a prominent up-and-comer in the business industry. He meets Jeremy Strong as cutthroat lawyer Roy Cohn, who sees promise in the young Trump, and decides to take him under his wing. Trump goes on to make millions, marry Ivana Zelníčková (Maria Bakalova), start a family and suffer losses, all while hurtling down a rabbit hole of success. He loses himself and his morality to the enticement of money, power and fame.
In terms of physical and character portrayal of Trump, I’m not sure that anyone could have done a better job than Stan. From the moment he stepped onto the screen, Stan displayed a sense of arrogance and sultriness in the young Trump.
All throughout “The Apprentice,” Stan nailed the well-recognized posture, accent and somewhat ridiculous obsession with hair that is true to Trump. He became fully immersed as Trump, delivering lines and conducting mannerisms in an almost chilling fashion.
In the ending scene of the film, Trump admits one of the three life lessons he abides by: “deny everything and admit nothing.” Stan delivers this line with conviction and a lack of emotion, showing that consideration of dishonesty has no place in success and power.
Ivana’s character is complex — Bakalova was responsible for portraying Ivana’s conflictions of fulfilling her “duty” to Trump as his wife and her want for immense publicity and riches. Bakalova presented Ivana as the “perfect wife” in the poised way that she carried herself around the home and at events.
When Ivana was introduced to Trump and the two hurtled their way down the path to marriage, it was interesting to witness and analyze the role that she played in Trump’s life, and what it revealed about his attitude towards women. With that, Trump was just as cold inside the home as he was outside of it.
An overarching theme in “The Apprentice” is that villains are made, not born. As Trump’s behavior, sense of morals and priorities are widely criticized by some, he is only human.
Trump’s outward actions and decisions are a product of his surroundings growing up and the mentors he acquired on his way to riches. This also brings up the question of nature vs. nurture: is it in Trump’s preordained nature to be ruthless and arrogant? Or is it a result of the lessons instilled in him by his father and Cohn?
Overall, both the film’s acting and cinematography were executed satisfyingly. Abbasi captured the essence of high society in 1970s New York City perfectly, from the costumes to set design.
The documentary-style camerawork was a crucial filmmaking technique in making the viewer feel transported back in time. Stan, Strong and Bakalova gave powerful performances true to their respective characters, leaving no room for criticism.
However, the subject material in “The Apprentice” is not exactly cheery, especially with the movie including scenes of sexual abuse, the cold realities of the high-end business industry and manipulation.
It’s difficult to determine what is dramatized versus what is true to Trump’s actions and words. However, Abassi accomplished his goal — to tell the story of how a man brought up with cruel morals came to be riddled with the addictions of success and power, just in time for election season.
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Claire Bauer and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com