The controversial biographical film that Donald Trump attempted to prevent from reaching audiences has now arrived on Netflix, making it accessible to millions of subscribers across the United Kingdom.
Controversial Content and Legal Battles
The Apprentice, which chronicles Trump's ascent in New York City's real estate world during the 1970s and 1980s, features several scenes that sparked significant controversy. The film includes depictions of Trump undergoing liposuction and what has been described as a 'disturbing' portrayal of non-consensual sexual activity with his first wife, Ivana.
These elements prompted Trump's legal team to mount a vigorous campaign against the film's distribution. The producers received cease-and-desist letters in an attempt to block its American release, creating substantial obstacles in securing a US distributor.
Critical Acclaim Despite Political Opposition
Despite the political firestorm, The Apprentice earned impressive critical recognition. The film received two Oscar nominations, two Golden Globe nods, and three BAFTA nominations, cementing its status as a serious cinematic work.
When the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year, it received an eight-minute standing ovation from attendees. Critics described the production as 'compelling', 'sobering', and a 'knockout' piece of filmmaking.
The casting features notable performances from Sebastian Stan from the Marvel universe as the younger Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong of Succession fame as Trump's attorney Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as Ivana Trump.
Timing and Political Reactions
The film's original cinema release in October last year positioned it just weeks before the November 5 presidential election, timing that Trump claimed was deliberately designed to 'try and hurt' his campaign efforts.
Trump and his campaign team launched a verbal assault on the film, with the former president calling it a 'defamatory, politically disgusting hatchet job'. His campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, went even further, describing the production as 'garbage' that 'sensationalises lies that have been long debunked'.
Cheung added scathingly: 'This "film" is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, and doesn't even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.'
Cast Perspectives and Professional Risks
Sebastian Stan revealed that he faced significant professional pressure against taking the role of Trump. He recounted how 'a CEO of a studio told me not to do it because I was going to alienate half the country', while a respected casting director warned that 'we don't need another Trump movie, you're never going to get any applause for it'.
Stan responded to Trump's criticisms by questioning: 'If the movie is really just sort of so irrelevant, then why warrant that reaction from him to begin with? It might be because the truth hurts, and there is something truthful to the movie.'
Jeremy Strong, who portrays Roy Cohn, defended the film's importance, telling The Times he considered it 'mandatory viewing for any sentient beings who care about what's happening' in the United States. He emphasised that 'in this moment where we're surrounded by rhetoric of hate and divisiveness, I think art has a place and film has a place.'
The producers maintained that their work represents 'a fair and balanced portrait of the former president' and expressed their desire for viewers to 'see it and then decide' for themselves.
The Apprentice is now available for streaming on Netflix UK, bringing the controversial depiction of Trump's early career to a potentially massive audience despite the former president's continued objections.
