The world of cinema is no stranger to controversy, but with the release of The Apprentice, the biopic chronicling Donald Trump's rise to power, the conversations stirred have been particularly charged. The film, starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his ruthless mentor Roy Cohn, has ignited fiery debates about its accuracy, intentions, and the underlying political motivations tied to its launch.
Released on October 11, 2024, just weeks before the upcoming Presidential elections, The Apprentice had been mired in legal battles and political accusations even before its first screening. Questions surrounding its portrayal of Trump and his relationships, particularly with his first wife, Ivana, played by Maria Bakalova, loomed large. Critics labeled it as ‘election interference’ just as pressures from Trump's team mounted through threats of legal action. Indeed, the film's path to release was anything but smooth.
Despite press coverage dissecting the various elements of the film’s origins, the buzz surrounding its content cannot be ignored. The picture is grounded on serious allegations against Trump including drug use and domestic violence, raising eyebrows within the industry and among politicians. During its Cannes debut, it seemed uncertain whether The Apprentice would find its way to American audiences at all, particularly with Kinematics, one of its production firms, selling its stake after Dan Snyder—an influential backer—was reportedly outraged by its portrayal of Trump. Initial expectations were high, but Snyder was reportedly blindsided by scenes featuring illicit activities associated with Trump as they came out as far from flattering.
The film has received mixed reviews, running the gamut from intrigue to disdain. Critics often found it challenging to identify an appropriate viewer demographic. Supporters of Trump seem unlikely to see it, as Trump campaign personnel have denounced the film as “pure fiction” and “malicious defamation,” indicating it could potentially reinforce existing sentiments among his base. Meanwhile, for those openly against Trump, enduring two hours detailing the former president’s rise might evoke feelings of frustration. Eileen Jones, writing for Jacobin, pointed out, "Trump supporters will never go see The Apprentice, and anti-Trumpers won’t be able to bear two hours watching the bane of their existence rise to wealth and power.” While its theatrical run commenced on 1,740 screens and opened to $1.6 million—which some considered lackluster—it nevertheless sparked conversations across platforms and media.
Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Briarcliff Entertainment, the film's distributor, sees some silver linings and hopes to leverage Trump's public comments about the film as fuel for its longevity. Following the film's release, Trump unleashed comments on Truth Social, leveling attacks on its content, which Ortenberg found potentially beneficial. “Former President Trump engaging with the film can only help us,” he indicated. “We had limited time to mount a nationwide release and campaign, overcoming obstacles such as the Trump campaign’s cease and desist which led all corporate Hollywood to run away from the movie like their hair was on fire.” His remarks alluded to challenges they faced initially—distributors were uncomfortable touching the project due to fears of backlash from Trump’s camp.
Director Ali Abbasi has attempted to frame the narrative of The Apprentice as not merely about Trump, but more broadly as insights examining the corrupt systems enabling figures like Cohn to flourish. From his perspective, Trump was taught to navigate these systems and eventually adopt them himself, which underlines much of the story cited by Abbasi. Despite calls for openness on the director's part to engage Trump, the lack of clarity remains as to whether the former president has even seen the film. Nevertheless, Abbasi's bold expressions of willingness to discuss with Trump stall against the overly charged and deliberate narratives threading throughout the film.
The crux of Trump's complaints centered on the defamation of his portrayal, particularly elements concerning his first wife, and culminated with accusations against Gabe Sherman, the film’s writer. Trump lampooned Sherman as “a lowlife and talentless hack,” dismissing the film as “politically disgusting.” Indeed, the film portrays darker elements of their marriage, with serious allegations involving physical assault appearing onscreen, likely to stoke outrage both from Trump himself and his supporters. Those pivotal incidents, drawn directly from past statements and depositions, would contribute to the film's controversy and potential divide among audiences.
Remarkably, the film doesn't shy away from contentious moments from Trump's past, including hints at substance abuse and personal violence. The portrayal of Trump as getting plastic surgery and addicted to amphetamines were stark reminders of the troubled character the film attempts to sketch out. One of the most graphic depictions involves the ramifications of Trump’s actions toward Ivana, inspired by her past statements during their divorce. While she later attempted to clarify her words, the lasting shadows cast by those allegations continue to complicate Trump’s public image and his responses now to those portrayals.
Regardless of the chaotic reception, The Apprentice sparks such questions: Can cinema involve serious tones as narrative practice without being weighed down by its subject matter? Does it invariably mirror Trump's escapades or reflect on American culture more broadly? It remains to be seen exactly how audiences respond as The Apprentice continues to screen across theaters, potentially shaping conversations surrounding the upcoming elections and possibly influencing voter perceptions. The theater experience bred anticipatory energies stemming from divisive artistic exploration, even when they prove uncomfortable.
At the end of the day, this film aims to lay bare the man behind public persona—raising eyebrows, firing reprimands from him directly, and capturing the attention of viewers worldwide. While some might see it as merely sensationalist, others may find reflections of political climates and shared societal narratives playing out as it showcases real-life figures entwined with historical moments. Whether applauded for its boldness or criticized for its biases, The Apprentice illuminates the tantalizing intertwining of history and celebrity, perhaps paving paths for future biopics to tread with both caution and ambition.