Watch Apprentice
- 2017
- 1 hr 36 min
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6.6 (1,831)
Apprentice is a 2016 Singaporean drama film directed by Boo Junfeng. The movie is 96 minutes long and is in the Malay and English languages. The story revolves around Aiman, a young man living in Singapore, who takes up a job at a prison as an executioner's apprentice. The film is a gripping portrayal of Aiman's moral dilemma when he is faced with the reality of his job, and the people he must execute.
The movie begins with Aiman working at a manufacturing job and living with his sister after their parents' death. He seems to be trying to keep his head down and get through the days without really connecting with anyone. However, one day, he gets a call from his sister and hastily leaves work to rendezvous with a man, who is later revealed to be his biological father.
The man, Rahim, is a former prison warden who has just received parole after serving 25 years in prison for a crime he committed as a young man. Rahim encourages Aiman to follow his passion and pursue a career that will make him happy. Aiman decides to do just that and applies for a job at a high-security prison.
After a grueling interview process, Aiman is hired as an apprentice to Chief Executioner, Rahim. As he is trained in the job, Aiman discovers that Rahim is a skilled and respected executioner who performs his duties with a professionalism that sets him apart from others. The job involves preparing the inmate for their execution, and then leading them to the gallows.
As Aiman gets more and more involved in the job, he begins to notice inconsistencies in the way the executions are conducted. Rahim seems to be more than just a skilled executioner, and Aiman starts to question the morality behind their job. He meets Suhaila, the sister of an inmate, who is on death row, and she forces Aiman to confront the reality of his job and the prisoners he executes.
The film is poignant in depicting the moral dilemma of taking someone's life, even as a professional executioner. Aiman struggles with his job and his growing friendship with Suhaila, who challenges his perspective and beliefs. He becomes more conflicted as he discovers that Rahim is not as ethical as he seemed. As the film progresses, Aiman finds himself drawn into a web of betrayal and revenge, which threatens to derail his promising career.
The film's cinematography is realistic and engrossing, and the use of sound adds to the tension and drama. The performances by the cast are raw and convincing, especially Firdaus Rahman, who portrays Aiman's internal struggles with an understated intensity that draws the audience in.
In conclusion, Apprentice is a powerful film that raises questions about the death penalty and the morality of taking someone's life. The film offers a nuanced portrayal of the prison system, showcasing the challenges and complexities of the jobs of those who work within the system. With an excellent cast and gripping story, Apprentice is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys character-driven dramas.
Apprentice is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 77.