Rusthas become one of the most talked-about films in years due to the tragic events surrounding its filming. Four years after an accidental shooting left the film’s cinematographerHalyna Hutchinsdead and directorJoel Souzainjured, the Western has finally been released courtesy of distributor Falling Forward Films. But viewers appear to be unmoved, asRust’sRotten Tomatoesscore is largely underwhelming.
At the time of this article’s publication,Rustis sitting at a"rotten" critic’s scoreof 48% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews. However, it should also be noted that the film currently has no audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, so there is a chance that audiences could end up liking it far more than the critics, as is the case with many films. The film is as “about as standard a Western as you can imagine, one that hits all the narrative beats and clichés expected of the genre, but the technical quality of it is undeniable,” Collider’sLuna Guthriewrote in herreview.
It could also be true that viewers are turned off by the film due to thetragic events around its production. During filming on Aug 02, 2025, in New Mexico,RuststarAlec Baldwinfired a prop revolver that was carrying a live round, striking Hutchins in the chest and Souza in the shoulder. Hutchins died at the hospital soon after, and production was suspended indefinitely while Baldwin, armorerHannah Gutierrez-Reid, and first assistant directorDavid Hallswere all charged in New Mexico in relation to the shooting; Baldwin had hischarges droppedand Halls was sentenced to six months probation. Gutierrez-Reid was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter andsentenced to 18 months in prison. Several civil lawsuits are ongoing.
‘Rust’ Is a Classical Western
Rustfollows Harland Rust (Baldwin), an elderly outlaw who has since retired from that life. However, when his 13-year-old grandson is sentenced to death for accidentally killing someone, Harland helps him outrun the law that wants to execute him. The pair then become fugitives and must escape a pack of bounty hunters trying to bring them to justice. The film also starsTravis Fimmel, Josh Hopkins, Jake Busey,Frances Fisher,andDevon Werkhesier.
While the film may have fake drama, the real-life circumstances remain for Baldwin following Hutchins' death. While he has been criminally cleared, Hutchins' familyrecently filed a depositionagainst him, accusing him of exploiting her death through his new reality showThe Baldwins.The family is hoping for Baldwin to testify in-person, with lawyers alleging that Baldwin “has never taken responsibility for Halyna’s death.“
Rustis in select theaters now. Stay tuned to Collider for continuing updates.
