Ali Abbasi

The Profile

Ali Abbasi is an Iranian‑born, Danish‑naturalized film director and screenwriter. A graduate of the National Film School of Denmark, he has directed Shelley (2016), Border (2018), Holy Spider (2022), and The Apprentice (2024).

Known for blending genre elements with social commentary. Border adapts John Ajvide Lindqvist’s story; Holy Spider dramatizes an Iranian serial murder case; The Apprentice portrays Donald Trump’s early years and his mentorship under Roy Cohn.

Two DeBaser reviews track Ali Abbasi’s range: from a raw, politically charged biopic (The Apprentice) to a moody Nordic fairy‑tale thriller (Border). The Apprentice zeroes in on Donald Trump’s formative bond with Roy Cohn and its ruthless playbook. Border probes identity, otherness, and atmosphere, unfolding in misty Scandinavian landscapes. Overall sentiment: admiring of Abbasi’s bold, unsettling cinema.