The Apprentice

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1:28

The Apprentice

R

Released Oct 11, 2024

2h 2m

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

242 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé -- someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

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Critics Consensus

Instead of cross-examining its subject, The Apprentice gives Sebastian Stan the chance to shine in a simplistic yet entertaining foray into the world of a young Trump.

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Audience Says

Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong's performances resonate in The Apprentice, a well-crafted character study on one of the most polarizing men in America.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

This very well-made movie is still constructed that are wholly and completely gossamer.

Nov 4, 2024

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It’s surprising and even a little disappointing that The Apprentice doesn’t go all in on the grotesque and extreme aspects of the Trumpian evolution. But it does show a side of the former US president that, you suspect, he would prefer not to be seen.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 30, 2024

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Wenlei Ma

The Nightly (AU)

The film is a well-paced and often entertaining story of how Trump evolved from an insecure blustery young man into a still insecure and blustery older one, but someone with a greater grasp of how to manipulate others and egomaniacally impose himself.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 25, 2024

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Robert Horton

The Scarecrow

The Apprentice doesn't craft its tale with subtlety, but what exactly is the point of delicacy in a world where the rise of Donald Trump has destroyed the usefulness of subtlety, or really any kind of satire?

Rated: 3/4

Feb 14, 2025

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MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

A portrait of a weak man, humorless and friendless, desperate to be liked, desperate to be seen as someone who *matters*. Sebastian Stan’s brilliantly disgusting Trump is horrifically riveting.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 13, 2025

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Hayley Jorja

Film Ireland Magazine

Despite having a lot to say about the past and present of American politics, the film never sacrifices entertainment for moralising. The Apprentice is a blast from start to finish, punctuated with some really emotional moments.

Feb 11, 2025

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Karen G

Great movie. Totally worth it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Joe

Sebastian and Jeremy carry this biopic to the top of my watchlist recommendations for October

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Moviegoer

The movie is unrelentingly dismal.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Maryland

The most important movie of our time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

Jessica

Great movie, a villain origin story told right. Definitely getting an Oscar or 3.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Rick

The Roy Cohn character totally steals the show. Shows where The Donald got all his current personality traits—love em or not!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

Full Review

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Ali Abbasi

Director

Sebastian Stan

Donald Trump

Jeremy Strong

Roy Cohn

Maria Bakalova

Ivana Trump

Martin Donovan

Fred Trump

Catherine McNally

Mary Anne Trump

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The Apprentice: Movie Clip - Donald Trump

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The Apprentice: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé -- someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

Director: Ali Abbasi
Producer: Louis Tisné, Daniel Bekerman, Jacob Jarek, Ruth Treacy
Screenwriter: Gabriel Sherman
Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment / Rich Spirit
Production Co: Profile Pictures, Scythia Films, Tailored Films
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual Assault|Sexual Content|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2024
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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