The actor portrays a young Donald Trump in a film that aims to provide a nuanced look at the former president’s rise in real estate, despite facing legal threats and mixed reviews

In a recent interview, actor Sebastian Stan, known for his portrayal of Donald Trump in the contentious film The Apprentice, suggested that the former president should feel “grateful” for the movie, which he believes offers a “complex, three-dimensional take” on Trump’s life. The film, set against the backdrop of the 1970s and 80s, chronicles Trump’s early years as a burgeoning real estate mogul in New York City.

Despite Stan’s optimism, Trump has responded to the film’s portrayal of his life with hostility, branding it “fake and classless.” He has also threatened legal action against the producers, expressing hopes that the film would “bomb” at the box office. This combative response highlights the contentious nature of the film, which has struggled to secure a distributor in the U.S. due, in part, to Trump’s threats.

Directed by Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice also delves into Trump’s formative relationship with his lawyer and mentor, Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong. Abbasi revealed the significant challenges faced during the film’s production, particularly in finding a distributor after the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation. He recounted his initial expectations of sparking a bidding war for distribution, only to face an uphill battle as potential distributors hesitated in the wake of Trump’s legal threats.

The film was finally released in the U.S. last week but has encountered difficulty at the box office, prompting speculation about its future, especially in light of the upcoming U.S. election on November 5, where Trump is set to face Kamala Harris. Abbasi expressed a desire to have the film part of the electoral conversation, stating, “I think intellectually and as an artist it’s much more exciting [to release it now].”

Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, both known for their nuanced performances, stressed that the film does not aim to vilify Trump or demonise the real-life figures it portrays. “In some small way, I think it could move the needle on how people feel [about] or perceive him, but the film is not a political act; it’s a story,” Strong noted.

The film has received a mix of reviews, igniting debate on whether it might find a place in the Oscars race. Critics speculate that the outcome of the election could significantly influence the film’s reception among awards voters. Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson remarked that if Trump were to win, “I don’t think [awards voters] will want to have anything to do with this movie,” suggesting that a win for Harris might allow voters to reconsider Trump’s early life from a more distanced perspective.As The Apprentice navigates the murky waters of politics and art, its impact on the upcoming election remains uncertain, but it undoubtedly adds a unique narrative to the ongoing discourse surrounding Donald Trump.