In 2024, The Apprentice emerges as a thought-provoking exploration of Donald Trump’s rise to fame. This biographical drama, directed by Ali Abbasi and penned by Gabriel Sherman, delves into the complex journey that led to Trump’s ascendancy as a prominent businessman and reality TV star. Starring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong, and Maria Bakalova, the film offers a stylized, larger-than-life portrayal of Trump’s early years. However, despite its compelling performances and lavish production, the film falls short by opting for a sanitized narrative that avoids addressing the more controversial and complicated aspects of Trump’s career.

In this comprehensive review, we will analyze The Apprentice through several key lenses—storytelling, character portrayal, direction, performances, and overall impact—while also discussing how it fits within the broader context of biographical dramas and the cultural significance of its subject.

The Storyline

At its core, The Apprentice is about Donald Trump’s journey to becoming the larger-than-life figure that would dominate American politics for decades. The film explores his rise during the 1980s and 1990s, a time when he transformed from a wealthy New York real estate mogul to a household name through his reality TV show, The Apprentice. The biographical drama dives into his business ventures, personal relationships, and public persona. However, The Apprentice is more than just a retelling of Trump’s career—it attempts to depict the multifaceted character of the man who would go on to serve as the 45th president of the United States.

The film follows Trump as he navigates the challenges of the corporate world, focusing heavily on his work in real estate, his ventures in the entertainment industry, and his foray into the world of reality television. The 1980s and 1990s are presented as a time when Trump’s name became synonymous with success, wealth, and prestige. The show The Apprentice, a defining moment in his career, is given special attention, as it solidified his persona as a businessman who could make hard decisions and create drama for entertainment purposes.

However, the narrative often feels incomplete because it shies away from the contradictions and controversies that have surrounded Trump’s life. There is little exploration of the financial difficulties he faced, his legal challenges, or the contentious relationships with various public figures. The Apprentice paints a picture of a driven, ambitious man but leaves out much of the emotional and political complexity that defines him.

The Sanitized Depiction of Trump

One of the most prominent criticisms of The Apprentice is its portrayal of Trump as a somewhat sanitized figure. While the film attempts to capture his rise in the business world and television industry, it doesn’t dig deep into the contradictions that have made him such a polarizing figure in American society. There are no significant explorations into his financial troubles, his multiple bankruptcies, or his controversial comments throughout the years. The result is a picture of Trump that is palatable and focused more on his successes than his failures.

The film’s careful treatment of Trump’s personality prevents it from achieving the depth that many would expect from a biographical drama. Trump’s more divisive characteristics—his handling of business ventures, the legal issues that have dogged him, his public feuds, and his political career—are largely sidelined. This sanitization may appeal to certain audiences who are looking for a more flattering portrayal of the former president, but it does a disservice to those seeking a balanced and truthful examination of his life.

Character Portrayal

Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump

Sebastian Stan’s performance as Donald Trump is central to the film’s success. The actor, known for his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, takes on the difficult task of portraying one of the most controversial public figures in modern history. Stan’s interpretation of Trump is one of charisma and ambition, two traits that were integral to Trump’s rise in the business world and media.

While Stan certainly captures the outward confidence and boldness that defined Trump’s persona, the film’s focus on his business ventures and television career leaves little room for Stan to explore the internal complexities of the character. As a result, Stan’s portrayal feels a bit one-dimensional, but that may be a reflection of the film’s tone and narrative choices rather than his acting ability.

Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova

Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova round out the primary cast, both delivering strong performances as key figures in Trump’s life and career. Strong plays a role that complements Stan’s portrayal, helping to flesh out the intricate world of Trump’s business dealings and personal relationships. Bakalova, known for her role in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, brings a fresh perspective as a character who engages with Trump in a more personal way, shedding light on the complex dynamics that exist within Trump’s professional and private life.

While Strong and Bakalova do their best to support the narrative, their roles feel more like plot devices than fully realized characters. The film’s limited exploration of the emotional and political landscape of Trump’s life leaves little for them to work with, resulting in a supporting cast that doesn’t get the chance to fully shine.

Direction by Ali Abbasi

Ali Abbasi, an accomplished director known for his work on Border (2018), brings a steady hand to The Apprentice. His direction is precise, and the film is visually appealing. The pacing of the film is deliberate, with long sequences that delve into Trump’s business dealings and his reality TV career. Abbasi’s choice to focus on the glitz and glamour of Trump’s public persona is effective in capturing the allure that made him so captivating to audiences in the 1980s and 1990s.

However, the film’s reluctance to engage with Trump’s more controversial moments feels like a missed opportunity. Abbasi does a good job of presenting Trump’s rise to prominence, but he fails to challenge the audience with the contradictions that defined Trump’s career. There is a sense of reluctance in the direction to confront the less savory aspects of Trump’s life, leaving the film feeling more like an homage to a pop culture icon than a serious examination of his character.

Historical Accuracy and Biographical Drama Conventions

In terms of historical accuracy, The Apprentice stays true to many of the facts of Donald Trump’s life, but it takes creative liberties to present a more digestible narrative. The film does not delve into the political or financial missteps that have been key to Trump’s story, and instead focuses on the moments that have contributed to his celebrity. This is a common feature of biographical dramas, which often prioritize dramatic storytelling over strict adherence to facts.

While some viewers may appreciate this approach, others may feel that it diminishes the opportunity to explore the true complexities of Trump’s life. The film’s selective approach to his biography makes it difficult for it to offer a nuanced portrayal of the man, and the sanitized narrative leaves much to be desired for those seeking a deeper understanding of Trump’s career and personality.

The Role of Reality TV

The Apprentice places significant emphasis on Trump’s career as a reality TV star. His show, The Apprentice, is depicted as a pivotal moment in his rise to national prominence. The film does an excellent job of capturing the cultural significance of The Apprentice, which played a major role in shaping Trump’s public image and political career. It showcases how the show helped to cement Trump as a larger-than-life figure, someone whose catchphrases and persona transcended the television screen and became embedded in American culture.

The portrayal of Trump’s television career is one of the strongest aspects of the film. The show’s dynamic, dramatic moments are recreated with precision, and the film captures the energy and ambition that made Trump’s reality TV persona so compelling. However, it still focuses heavily on the surface-level aspects of his television career, neglecting the controversies surrounding his management of the show and the behind-the-scenes conflicts that sometimes made the show less glamorous than it appeared on screen.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity for Depth

The Apprentice (2024) is an ambitious attempt to capture the essence of Donald Trump’s rise to stardom. While it provides valuable insights into his early years as a businessman and reality TV star, the film ultimately feels incomplete. The sanitized portrayal of Trump, his career, and his personality leaves much to be desired for those hoping for a more honest and comprehensive examination of his life.

The film succeeds in its depiction of Trump’s business ventures and reality TV career, but it fails to address the paradoxes and controversies that have defined him over the years. By omitting key aspects of his life—such as his financial struggles, legal battles, and political challenges—The Apprentice falls short of being a truly in-depth biographical drama. Despite strong performances from the cast and solid direction, the film’s reluctance to tackle the darker side of Trump’s career makes it feel more like a glorified retelling than a compelling piece of cinematic storytelling.