The upcoming and highly contentious Donald Trump biopic, “The Apprentice,” is set to make a significant impact as it arrives in U.S. theaters on October 11, just weeks before the presidential election. Initially debuting at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the film has already sparked considerable debate and controversy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 1980s-set drama was acquired in June by Briarcliff Entertainment, a smaller yet notable distributor known for its work on films such as Liam Neeson’s thrillers “Memory” and “The Marksman,” as well as Michael Moore’s 2018 anti-Trump documentary “Fahrenheit 11/9.” The Guardian has reported that Briarcliff Entertainment is planning a limited festival run and an awards campaign leading up to the film’s wider release.

Directed by the Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi, who gained notoriety with his provocative thriller “Holy Spider,” the film promises a daring exploration of Donald Trump’s life. Abbasi’s previous work even led to death threats against lead actor Zar Amir Ebrahimi, underscoring his penchant for controversial storytelling.

“The Apprentice” features Sebastian Stan in the role of Donald Trump, with Jeremy Strong portraying Roy Cohn, Trump’s mentor during his rise in 1980s New York City. The film has been met with mixed reviews; Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as “obtuse and irrelevant,” while Owen Gleiberman of Variety praised it for being “sharp and scathing.”

A particularly incendiary scene in the movie depicts an alleged assault on Ivana Trump by Donald Trump, played by Maria Bakalova. This portrayal has prompted Trump’s legal team to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, accusing them of “malicious defamation.” This controversy is rooted in Ivana Trump’s 1990 divorce proceedings, where she initially accused Trump of sexual assault—a claim she later retracted.

Since the 1970s, Donald Trump has faced accusations of sexual assault or harassment from at least 26 women, all of which he has denied, as noted by The Guardian. Despite the backlash and legal threats, the director has stood firm against criticism, emphasizing that there is no “nice metaphorical way to deal with fascism.”

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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