The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abassi, presents a dramatized look into Donald Trump's early years as a young businessman in New York City, particularly focusing on his relationship with the infamous attorney Roy Cohn. The film, which stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Cohn, hit US theaters on October 11. Despite controversy surrounding its content, the filmmakers insist it is not politically motivated and was not designed as an election stunt.
Team Speaks Out on Timing and Intentions
During an interview with The New York Times, Jeremy Strong clarified that the timing of the release, just weeks before the US presidential election, was coincidental. He explained, "At no point was the intention to release this in the middle of an election. This wasn’t purpose-built for that. There was never a plan to make this a political act or a hand grenade to be dropped in the middle of the election. It is, I think, incredibly fortuitous timing that it can come out at a moment where it has the potential to illuminate something about the inner workings of this man, but it stands alone as a film.” Strong stressed that the film aims to explore deeper human issues rather than serve as a political tool.
Ali Abassi echoed this view, suggesting the film’s relevance would persist beyond election season. He commented, "I don’t think we need the election to make us relevant, but am I not excited about us being in an interaction with the back of the dragon? I would lie to you if I wasn’t." The director was candid about the film’s potential to engage with current events but emphasized that its core story transcends politics.
The Tragedy Behind Trump’s Rise
The Apprentice examines Donald Trump’s ascent in New York’s cutthroat real estate industry during the 1970s and 1980s. It focuses on Trump’s relationship with his legal mentor, Roy Cohn, a figure who helped shape his early business practices. Sebastian Stan, who plays Trump, highlighted that the film isn’t just about Trump himself but what his story reveals about society. "It’s not just what you’re learning about Trump, it’s also what you’re learning about yourself from Trump," he said.
For Abassi, the film portrays Trump’s rise as a broader commentary on power and morality. He noted that viewers might interpret the story in different ways, saying, "You can look at it as the becoming of a monster or a human tragedy.” Jeremy Strong, who portrays Cohn, similarly remarked that the film is ultimately “a human tragedy.”
Legal Threats and Industry Reaction
The film has faced strong resistance from Trump’s legal team. Since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Trump’s lawyers have threatened legal action over scenes that depict unflattering moments in his life, including a highly controversial depiction of Trump raping his first wife, Ivana Trump. During divorce proceedings in the early 1990s, Ivana accused Trump of raping her, though she later retracted the claim. Ivana passed away in 2022, but the inclusion of this scene has made The Apprentice a lightning rod for legal scrutiny.
Trump’s lawyers have called the film "garbage" and "pure malicious defamation," according to reports. Despite these threats, independent studio Briarcliff Entertainment took on the distribution of the film after major Hollywood studios declined, wary of the potential legal and political repercussions. Executive producer James Shani, speaking at the film’s New York premiere, praised Briarcliff’s courage, saying the distributor was "the only one with the balls to get us here."
A Nuanced Depiction Amid Controversy
Although The Apprentice contains several controversial elements, including its depiction of Trump’s private life, the filmmakers have maintained that the movie is not intended as a personal attack. Ali Abassi explained during the Cannes Film Festival that he does not view the film as a “hit job” on Trump, saying, "I really don’t think we’ve done like a hit job on Donald Trump." Instead, he invited Trump to see the movie himself before making any judgments.
The film also portrays Trump as a young, ambitious figure who, despite being naive at times, is determined to climb the social and business ladders of New York’s elite. Abassi emphasized that the film provides a nuanced view, focusing on the complex dynamics of ambition, mentorship, and power in Manhattan’s real estate industry.
Publicity Stunts and Election Impact
Despite the film’s controversial content, the marketing campaign has leaned into its polarizing nature. A plane was hired to fly a banner over a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, encouraging attendees to "GO SEE THE APPRENTICE FRIDAY." As Trump campaigns against Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, the film has attracted attention as part of the broader conversation around his public image.
Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian, from Comscore, noted that while controversy can raise awareness of a film, it does not necessarily translate into box office success. "The Apprentice is not going to be the number one movie at the box office this weekend," he predicted. However, he acknowledged that the film might benefit from the heated political climate, adding, "You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot, and right now political movies are pretty hot."
The Apprentice has stirred controversy, legal threats, and media buzz ahead of its release, but the filmmakers remain focused on presenting a broader story about human ambition and moral conflict. With its release in over 1,700 theaters across North America, the film continues to spark debate about its portrayal of Donald Trump, yet Abassi and his team insist that their work stands on its own as a cinematic exploration of human tragedy, power, and identity.
Team Speaks Out on Timing and Intentions
During an interview with The New York Times, Jeremy Strong clarified that the timing of the release, just weeks before the US presidential election, was coincidental. He explained, "At no point was the intention to release this in the middle of an election. This wasn’t purpose-built for that. There was never a plan to make this a political act or a hand grenade to be dropped in the middle of the election. It is, I think, incredibly fortuitous timing that it can come out at a moment where it has the potential to illuminate something about the inner workings of this man, but it stands alone as a film.” Strong stressed that the film aims to explore deeper human issues rather than serve as a political tool.
Ali Abassi echoed this view, suggesting the film’s relevance would persist beyond election season. He commented, "I don’t think we need the election to make us relevant, but am I not excited about us being in an interaction with the back of the dragon? I would lie to you if I wasn’t." The director was candid about the film’s potential to engage with current events but emphasized that its core story transcends politics.
The Tragedy Behind Trump’s Rise
The Apprentice examines Donald Trump’s ascent in New York’s cutthroat real estate industry during the 1970s and 1980s. It focuses on Trump’s relationship with his legal mentor, Roy Cohn, a figure who helped shape his early business practices. Sebastian Stan, who plays Trump, highlighted that the film isn’t just about Trump himself but what his story reveals about society. "It’s not just what you’re learning about Trump, it’s also what you’re learning about yourself from Trump," he said.
For Abassi, the film portrays Trump’s rise as a broader commentary on power and morality. He noted that viewers might interpret the story in different ways, saying, "You can look at it as the becoming of a monster or a human tragedy.” Jeremy Strong, who portrays Cohn, similarly remarked that the film is ultimately “a human tragedy.”
Legal Threats and Industry Reaction
The film has faced strong resistance from Trump’s legal team. Since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Trump’s lawyers have threatened legal action over scenes that depict unflattering moments in his life, including a highly controversial depiction of Trump raping his first wife, Ivana Trump. During divorce proceedings in the early 1990s, Ivana accused Trump of raping her, though she later retracted the claim. Ivana passed away in 2022, but the inclusion of this scene has made The Apprentice a lightning rod for legal scrutiny.
Trump’s lawyers have called the film "garbage" and "pure malicious defamation," according to reports. Despite these threats, independent studio Briarcliff Entertainment took on the distribution of the film after major Hollywood studios declined, wary of the potential legal and political repercussions. Executive producer James Shani, speaking at the film’s New York premiere, praised Briarcliff’s courage, saying the distributor was "the only one with the balls to get us here."
A Nuanced Depiction Amid Controversy
Although The Apprentice contains several controversial elements, including its depiction of Trump’s private life, the filmmakers have maintained that the movie is not intended as a personal attack. Ali Abassi explained during the Cannes Film Festival that he does not view the film as a “hit job” on Trump, saying, "I really don’t think we’ve done like a hit job on Donald Trump." Instead, he invited Trump to see the movie himself before making any judgments.
The film also portrays Trump as a young, ambitious figure who, despite being naive at times, is determined to climb the social and business ladders of New York’s elite. Abassi emphasized that the film provides a nuanced view, focusing on the complex dynamics of ambition, mentorship, and power in Manhattan’s real estate industry.
Publicity Stunts and Election Impact
Despite the film’s controversial content, the marketing campaign has leaned into its polarizing nature. A plane was hired to fly a banner over a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, encouraging attendees to "GO SEE THE APPRENTICE FRIDAY." As Trump campaigns against Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, the film has attracted attention as part of the broader conversation around his public image.
Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian, from Comscore, noted that while controversy can raise awareness of a film, it does not necessarily translate into box office success. "The Apprentice is not going to be the number one movie at the box office this weekend," he predicted. However, he acknowledged that the film might benefit from the heated political climate, adding, "You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot, and right now political movies are pretty hot."
The Apprentice has stirred controversy, legal threats, and media buzz ahead of its release, but the filmmakers remain focused on presenting a broader story about human ambition and moral conflict. With its release in over 1,700 theaters across North America, the film continues to spark debate about its portrayal of Donald Trump, yet Abassi and his team insist that their work stands on its own as a cinematic exploration of human tragedy, power, and identity.
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