©Falling Forward Films

“Rust,” the movie’s production was tragically affected by the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on set in October 2021 when a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a live round during filming, which was also documented in “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna.”

The same bullet struck director Joel Souza’s shoulder, he was given treatment at the hospital and released the next day, lawsuits and intense media coverage ensued, with some cast and crew members held responsible for criminal actions. Involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin were dismissed by court which captured by a realty series, “The Baldwins.”

After the legal proceedings were finished, filming resumed in honor of Hutchins, as a filmmaker. The movie was completed in May 2021 after partially filmed roles were recast due to production delays. The release of “Rust” is finally here, most people would appreciate Hutchins’ work. If viewers can handle watching such a haunting movie, particularly due to its plot being initiated by gunfire that leads to an unintended death.

In 1882, the story was set in Wyoming, the action begins with children in peril, Lucas (Patrick Scott McDermott) rises at the beginning of the day to tend his hogs, chickens, and a younger brother Jacob (Easton Malcolm) is also under his care barely scraping by, he travels to Hayesville, a nearby town, and sell a couple of pigs and a horse for food.

©Falling Forward Films

Jacob is being bullied at the store, and Lucas is using an ax handle to hit the kid’s hand. Later at the ranch, Lucas spotted the wolf again, he reaches for his father’s rifle. He tries to catch it, but misses by squeezing the trigger. He didn’t spot the bully’s father riding up to force Lucas to perform the tasks his injured son can’t do, the man takes the bullet. He falls off his horse, and dead.

The judge believes that the act was premeditated and is not reluctant to sentence Lucas to death by hanging, while Frances Fisher, Lucas’ grandma, rides into town and seems to have significant means, given her mention of lawyers. The decision cannot be influenced by her as it is too late. Lucas hears a commotion in the sheriff’s office one night, scuffling, bumping, and banging. The cell is unlocked as a shadow enters the holding area. Lucas is told by the shadow that “he doesn’t look like much.” Lucas is rightly terrified of this mysterious stranger but agrees to flee with him to New Mexico territory and escape his own hanging.

The shadow indicates that Lucas is related to Harland Rust (Baldwin), his maternal grandfather. Now, we meet the U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Josh Hopkins). His wife weeps over their son, coughing, wheezing, dying in bed. Wood absorbs the brunt of her anger and grief and wordlessly goes to work, examining the dead deputies and piecing together Harland’s involvement. Sheriff Wood Helm is in pursuit of the runaway, a person who has been tormented by the illness of his own child and the fact that he couldn’t save him.

The plot of “Rust” is taking a traditional western that focuses on well-known themes of family, redemption, and the morality of violence, is similar to a highly regarded films like “Unforgiven” and “The Searchers”, but unfortunately, the various storylines are not woven together completely, it feels like they plant many seeds, but they do not yield any fruit.

The film is mixing morality and survival with archetypal characters that never differed from traditional western setting. In the end, all I could think about was that the film began with magnificent landscapes and an endless sky. Although it has a ghostly and haunting appearance, it is beautiful to behold, thanks to Hutchins’ work. Her life abruptly ended during the twelve days of shooting. Throughout the film, real life events keep colliding with the plot, leaving me haunted by the image of empty land.

Grade : C

Photo by Felipe Orozco/Felipe Orozco – © 2025 Felipe Orozco. All rights reserved.

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Here’s the trailer of the film.