IMDb 6.6 2016 HD

Apprentice

Apprentice

2016
Drama
96 min NR Hong Kong
6.9 / 10
6.6 IMDB

When ambitious young correctional officer Aiman is transferred to the country's highest-security prison, he catches the attention of the seasoned chief executioner Rahim. Aiman's desire to become the…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Boo Junfeng
Starring
Fir Rahman / Wan Hanafi Su / Mastura Ahmad / Boon Pin Koh / Nickson Cheng / Crispian Chan / Gerald Chew / Ong Chao Hong

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

thought-provoking intense dark compelling grim moral psychological character-driven unsettling mature powerful

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 16, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Apprentice' is a film that excels in its quiet intensity and profound character work. Fir Rahman is excellent as Aiman, an ambitious officer whose path leads him into the shadow of the gallows. His interactions with Wan Hanafi…

L
Liam O'Connell
Apr 16, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

While 'Apprentice' tackles a weighty subject with admirable seriousness, its deliberate pace and focus on internal struggle may prove challenging for some. Fir Rahman and Wan Hanafi Su deliver solid performances, conveying the emotional weight of their characters'…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Apr 16, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A masterclass in restrained filmmaking, 'Apprentice' is a deeply affecting exploration of ambition and inherited trauma. Fir Rahman's portrayal of Aiman is captivating, a study in controlled desperation. His relationship with Wan Hanafi Su's Rahim, the stoic chief…

M
Marcus Thorne
Apr 16, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This is a film that demands your attention, a slow burn that gradually tightens its grip. 'Apprentice' focuses intently on the psychological ramifications of a grim profession. Fir Rahman capably embodies Aiman's internal conflict, while Wan Hanafi Su…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 16, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A chillingly effective character study, 'Apprentice' plunges into the moral abyss of capital punishment through a compelling mentor-mentee dynamic. Fir Rahman delivers a nuanced performance as Aiman, a young officer whose ambition to become an executioner is rooted…

FAQs

The relationship between Aiman and Rahim forms the emotional and thematic core of 'Apprentice'. It's a dynamic built on mentorship, ambition, and a shared, albeit differently expressed, burden. Rahim, the experienced executioner, sees a reflection of himself or perhaps a path to closure in Aiman's unusual ambition. Aiman, meanwhile, is drawn to Rahim not just for the professional opportunity but for an unspoken connection that hints at a deeper, personal quest. This dynamic fuels the film's exploration of morality and inherited trauma.