Paul Schrader, the legendary filmmaker behind Taxi Driver and First Reformed, recently made headlines by walking out of Ali Abassi's political drama The Apprentice. While he acknowledged the film as “excellent,” Schrader ultimately found it too difficult to spend over two hours immersed in the world of Donald Trump, whom he described as “a shallow, reprehensible person.” His decision is a reflection of how deeply Trump's persona permeates every aspect of the movie — and it's a sentiment many audience members seem to share.
The Apprentice, which opened on over 2,000 screens, has had a disastrous box-office debut, grossing only $1 million during its opening weekend. Briarcliffe Entertainment surely hoped for better results, but releasing a Trump-centric film just 25 days before a heated presidential election likely contributed to the film's struggles. At a time when the media is already saturated with political coverage, it seems audiences were not eager to spend extra time engaging with Trump through cinema.
Despite its box-office woes, the film has been met with mostly positive reviews, holding a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64 on Metacritic. The lead performances by Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong have been especially praised, anchoring the film with intense portrayals of Trump's inner circle. However, even these powerful performances couldn't draw audiences who may have simply had enough of Trump, both in real life and on-screen.
Schrader's candid reaction poses a significant question: Can a well-crafted film about a polarizing figure succeed when the audience is exhausted by the subject matter? For those who can separate Trump the politician from Trump the character, The Apprentice offers an engaging and well-acted drama. But for others, the mere presence of Trump may be enough to make them walk out, just as Schrader did.
What do you think? Would you watch a film centered around Donald Trump, or are you tired of seeing him in the spotlight?
Schrader's walkout feels symbolic of a larger sentiment: Trump fatigue. While The Apprentice may be a good film, its timing is unfortunate, landing in the middle of an election cycle where Trump is omnipresent. I admire Schrader's honesty; sometimes, even a well-executed film can be too much to handle if the subject matter hits too close to home.
