Anna Daniels
In an unexpected turn of events, Ali Abassi’s eagerly awaited film “The Apprentice,” featuring Sebastian Stan portraying a young Donald Trump alongside Jeremy Strong, earned a mere $150,000 during its Thursday night debut. This figure is particularly surprising for a film released across 1,750 theaters. Given the heavy promotion and the critical timing just before the 2024 elections, the outcome raises questions. What could have contributed to this dismal performance?
Examining the film’s premise reveals it was bound to stir controversy. “The Apprentice” explores the formative years and ascent of Donald Trump, aiming to attract an audience in today’s divided America. However, the intended viewers seem unclear. Trump supporters have opted out, claiming the film misrepresents him, while his detractors are also reluctant to pay for a movie focused on the former president.
The production encountered significant challenges, including a $7 million buyout for Dan Snyder’s participation, which delayed its release. Despite Briarcliffe Entertainment’s determination to release the film before the election, the rush hasn’t helped ticket sales. With theaters seeing minimal occupancy and disappointing opening night stats, “The Apprentice” seems to be struggling significantly.
Reviewers have pointed to problems with the film’s pacing and the absence of new perspectives as potential factors for its poor reception. Nonetheless, the performances by Stan and Strong have received favorable mentions, providing some merit to an otherwise faltering project.
What are your thoughts? Is “The Apprentice” fated to fail, or should it receive another opportunity? We welcome your opinions!
