The Apprentice Movie Review: The making of young Donald Trump comes alive through Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong

The Apprentice

'The Apprentice,’ directed by Ali Abbasi, was released on 24th October on Lionsgate Play and stars Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan, and Maria Bakalova.

‘The Apprentice’ takes a close look at Donald Trump before the public knew him. Instead of turning him into a joke or villain, the film shows a young man figuring out how to survive and succeed in a challenging world. New York in the late 1970s is shown as rough and full of ambition, a place where money and opportunity mingle with risk.

Looking at the early years

The film has a calm but tense feeling and gives a sense as if something important is quietly brewing in the background. Watching it, you leave thoughtful rather than shocked or entertained, noticing how ambition can slowly shape someone’s character over time. The film doesn’t portray Donald Trump as a villain; instead, it quietly observes his journey to remarkable success. With sharp storytelling and powerful performances by Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, it makes for a compelling and engaging watch.

Learning from a mentor

The story focuses on Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) in his late twenties, trying to step out of his father Fred’s (Martin Donovan) shadow and make his own way. At first, he is cautious, learning how to belong in Manhattan’s competitive business world. Everything changes when Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), a lawyer, becomes his mentor and shows him how to succeed through strategy and calculated moves. Cohn teaches him to stay confident, think ahead, and take advantage when necessary. Ivana (Maria Bakalova) joins his journey as a partner who is clever, aware, and ambitious, shaping both their relationship and his rise. Each new step subtly changes Trump, showing how guidance and personal choices together build a stronger personality.

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The city shapes the story

Ali Abbasi directs the film in a clear, steady way, letting the story develop naturally. There are no flashy camera tricks or dramatic speeches—close-ups and hand-held shots make the viewer feel part of the room with the characters. The film shows New York as more than a setting: it is loud, crowded, demanding, and full of chances for those who know how to make the most of the opportunities. The city’s relentless pressure pushes Trump to adapt quickly, while the film’s deliberate pace is in tune with the learning, experience, and personal growth of Donald Trump that unfold gradually over time. Small details—like the city’s sounds, smoke-filled rooms, and everyday clutter—immerse the audience in constant tension, showing clearly how the city shaped him.

Stan and Strong’s performances elevate the film

Sebastian Stan gives a carefully measured performance as Trump, showing the transformation from a hesitant, unsure young man to someone steadily gaining skill, confidence, and ambition. Every glance, pause, and deliberate action communicates the thought process behind his choices, making his development feel authentic. Jeremy Strong embodies Roy Cohn with precision and quiet intensity, his calm authority and sharp presence revealing exactly why he is such a formative figure in Trump’s rise. Maria Bakalova brings Ivana to life as intelligent, determined, and fully engaged, never just a secondary figure, but someone whose influence and agency are clear. The actors collectively create a world that feels lived-in, showing the slow and believable process of learning, adapting, and gaining influence without ever exaggerating or overselling the drama.

It's all about careful choices

‘The Apprentice’ works because it doesn’t lecture or push the audience toward a particular opinion. Instead, it quietly traces how a public persona is formed over time, shaped by guidance, experience, and repeated choices. Ambition starts subtly, almost unnoticed, and gradually becomes apparent through the decisions and actions a person takes. By the time the film ends, viewers can understand how Trump’s early experiences influenced the person he would eventually become. The story feels grounded and realistic, prompting reflection on how surroundings, mentors, and small, everyday choices collectively shape character. ‘The Apprentice’ is engaging because it shows how power and influence are built slowly, step by step, through small wins, mistakes, and careful choices.

Rating: 3.5/5