The Apprentice OTT release date in India: Here's when and where you can stream Sebastian Stan's controversial Donald Trump biopic
The Apprentice, a controversial biopic about young Donald Trump and his mentor Roy Cohn, debuts in India on Lionsgate Play October 24, 2025. It earned Oscar nods, but Trump called it a "hatchet job."
Last Updated: 10.49 AM, Oct 18, 2025
The contentious biographical drama The Apprentice, which follows Donald Trump's early career, is set to digitally debut in India on Lionsgate Play (OTTPlay Premium) on October 24, 2025. The film, written by Gabriel Sherman and directed by Ali Abbasi, has stirred quite a reaction throughout the world.
Sebastian Stan as young Donald Trump
| Film Title | The Apprentice |
| OTT Release Date in India | October 24, 2025 |
| Streaming Platform | Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium) |
| Director | Ali Abbasi |
| Lead Cast | Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan |
The film stars Sebastian Stan, who plays a pivotal role as a young Donald Trump negotiating the razor-thin New York real estate market of the '70s and '80s.
The Apprentice, played by two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Strong, centres on Trump's formative years and his complicated and opportunistic tutelage under prominent right-wing lawyer Roy Cohn. The story expands on the Faustian pact that shaped Trump's aggressive and dogged pursuit of power and success, laying the groundwork for his signature cutthroat techniques.
ALSO READ: The Apprentice Review: A Real-Life Anti-Hero's Ruthless Rise – Tragic, Sharp, and Darkly Brilliant
Supporting cast and acclaimed performances
Ivana Trump, played by Maria Bakalova, and Fred Trump, played by Martin Donovan, round out the ensemble. Both Stan and Strong received nominations for Best Lead Actor and Supporting Actor at the 97th Academy Awards, and critics have largely lauded their outstanding performances.
An eight-minute standing ovation marked the film's premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, signalling its immediate impact and quality. The unvarnished subject matter, however, caused "feverish media attention" and distribution issues in the US, as did the highly disputed and controversial scenes based on divorce papers.
Box office and political reaction
The film earned over $17 million globally from its $16 million budget after opening in US theatres on October 11, 2024. Trump openly blasted the film as a "defamatory, politically disgusting hatchet job" meant to hurt his eventually successful 2024 presidential campaign, even though the acting, directing, and editing were critically acclaimed.
This film has been dubbed "a movie about a human being" by director Ali Abbasi and a "humanistic interrogation" by Jeremy Strong into the lives of the people who have influenced modern America.
Exclusive Indian streaming premiere
Streaming exclusively on Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium) beginning next week, The Apprentice will give Indian viewers their first look at the full, uncut story of unbridled ambition and the pursuit of power.
FAQs:
Q: When and where can I watch The Apprentice in India?
A: The controversial biographical drama, The Apprentice, will make its digital debut in India on Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium) on October 24, 2025.
Q: Who stars as Donald Trump in the movie The Apprentice?
A: Sebastian Stan (known for the MCU and Pam & Tommy) stars in a transformative role as a young Donald Trump, focusing on his early career in New York real estate.
Q: Who plays Roy Cohn in The Apprentice?
A: Two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Strong (known for Succession) portrays the influential right-wing lawyer Roy Cohn, who served as a complex mentor to the young Donald Trump.