Watch The Apprentice

The Apprentice is a 2024 biographical drama film that examines Donald Trump's career as a real estate businessman in New York in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn. Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman, the film stars Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn, Martin Donovan as Trump's father Fred, and Maria Bakalova as Trump's first wife, Ivana.  

In 1973, a young Donald Trump, after pointing out various wealthy people to his date, meets attorney Roy Cohn, a contentious lawyer known for prosecuting the Rosenbergs, at an exclusive New York City restaurant, and complains that the federal government is investigating his real-estate mogul father, Fred Trump, for discrimination against African-American tenants; Cohn eventually offers to help. After Cohn presents to the lead prosecutor photos of him with a cabana boy, the prosecutor settles the case for little, despite solid evidence of racial discrimination.  

The film follows Trump's rise to power in the real estate industry, as he learns the ropes from the cunning and ruthless Cohn. The two form a mentor-protégé relationship, with Cohn teaching Trump the art of the deal and how to manipulate people to get what he wants. However, as Trump becomes more successful, he begins to chafe under Cohn's influence and the two eventually have a falling out.

The Apprentice is a dark and disturbing film that explores the dark side of the American Dream. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power. The film is also a scathing indictment of the Trump family and their legacy of racism and discrimination.

The performances in the film are uniformly excellent. Sebastian Stan gives a tour-de-force performance as Trump, capturing the real estate mogul's arrogance, narcissism, and cruelty. Jeremy Strong is equally impressive as Cohn, delivering a chilling portrayal of a man who is consumed by his own power. Maria Bakalova is also excellent as Ivana Trump, providing a much-needed dose of humanity to the film.

The Apprentice is a challenging and thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the rise of Donald Trump and the forces that shaped him.

The Apprentice is a 2024 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.