Rust opens in theatres more than three years after on-set shooting of cinematographer
More than three years after the tragic on-set shooting that took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the film Rust has finally made its way to theatres, opening quietly on Friday. The incident occurred during a rehearsal scene on the New Mexico set in 2021 when producer-star Alec Baldwin pointed a prop gun at Hutchins, which unexpectedly fired a live round, fatally injuring her and wounding director Joel Souza.
The aftermath of the accident led to a year-long investigation, resulting in the sentencing of the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin faced the same charge, but it was ultimately dismissed due to allegations of evidence withholding by the prosecution. Additionally, assistant director Dave Halls pleaded no contest to negligent use of a firearm for failing to properly check the gun before handing it to Baldwin.
Despite the tragedy, production of Rust eventually resumed, with Souza returning to complete his directorial duties and Bianca Cline stepping in for the remaining cinematography work. Souza expressed that finishing the film was a way to honour Hutchins’ legacy and provide support to her family. While the details of the settlement between the producers and Hutchins’ family remain confidential, it was confirmed that her husband and son would receive profits from the film, and the original producers would not financially benefit from its release.
The world premiere of Rust took place at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland, and the film is now available in selected theatres. The completion of Rust following a tragic accident on set is not unprecedented in the film industry, with other films like The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie also moving forward after similar incidents.
The reception of Rust has been mixed, with reviewers acknowledging the striking cinematography by Hutchins and Cline while also noting the overshadowing impact of the tragic event on the film. Despite the Western action film’s visual appeal, many critics find that Rust struggles to stand out on its own merit due to the circumstances surrounding its production.
As audiences decide whether to watch Rust in theatres, the film’s final message serves as a poignant reminder of Halyna Hutchins’ presence and talent. With the words, “…for Halyna,” displayed onscreen along with a quote from the late cinematographer questioning how to make things better, Rust pays tribute to Hutchins’ memory and the lasting impact of her untimely death.
