It is finally here. After years of lawsuits, criminal trials, and a tragedy that basically changed how Hollywood looks at a prop gun, the Rust upcoming film trailer has made its way into the world. It’s a surreal experience. Honestly, watching Alec Baldwin on screen in a dusty 1880s coat after everything we’ve seen in real-world courtrooms feels like a glitch in the Matrix.
You’ve likely seen the headlines. The movie became famous for the worst possible reason back in October 2021 when a live round was discharged on set, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. For a long time, nobody thought this movie would ever see the light of day. It felt wrong. It felt impossible. But here we are in 2026, and the film has officially moved from a legal nightmare to a piece of cinema sitting in theaters and on VOD.
The Rust Trailer: What Does It Actually Show?
The footage doesn't shy away from the tone Baldwin originally pitched. He once compared this story to Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. It's gritty. The trailer introduces us to Harland Rust, played by Baldwin, an old-school outlaw who comes out of hiding to save his grandson, Lucas (Patrick Scott McDermott).
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The kid is about to be hanged for an accidental killing.
The irony of that plot point isn't lost on anyone. It’s thick. It’s uncomfortable. The trailer focuses heavily on the bond between the grizzled grandfather and the terrified boy as they outrun a bounty hunter played by Travis Fimmel and a U.S. Marshal played by Josh Hopkins. Visually, it looks stunning, which is a testament to the work Hutchins started and Bianca Cline finished. Cline stepped in to complete the film when production resumed in Montana in 2023.
Why the film was finished at all
A lot of people are still angry that this movie exists. You might be one of them. It’s a valid feeling. However, the decision to finish Rust wasn't just about Alec Baldwin's career or some studio's bottom line.
Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s widower, actually became an executive producer as part of a legal settlement. The idea was that the profits from the film would go to her husband and their son. Director Joel Souza, who was himself shot in the incident, returned to the chair. He told the Guardian that he basically "wished he never wrote the damn movie," but he felt a responsibility to see Halyna’s final work on the big screen.
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- Production stopped: October 2021
- Production resumed: April 2023
- World Premiere: November 2024 (Camerimage Festival)
- Wide Release: May 2, 2025
What Most People Get Wrong About the Footage
There is a misconception that the trailer contains the actual scene where the shooting took place. It doesn't. That’s a hard "no." The production moved from New Mexico to Montana to finish the shoot, and while they kept as much of Halyna’s original footage as possible, the specific sequence in the church was never completed as originally planned.
The movie is about 140 minutes long. That’s a lot of Western.
Reviews have been... well, mixed is a generous word. Some critics at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland (where the film premiered in late 2024) praised the cinematography but noted that it’s impossible to separate the art from the tragedy. Every time a gun goes off on screen, you flinch. It’s a "discomfiting experience," according to some of the early write-ups. You can't just watch it as a movie. You watch it as a piece of history that cost someone their life.
The Elephant in the Room: Alec Baldwin
Baldwin’s performance is being called one of his best in years, but the shadow of the involuntary manslaughter charges—which were eventually dismissed in July 2024 due to mishandled evidence—hangs over every frame. He’s not doing much press for it. He doesn't really have to. The movie’s notoriety is its own marketing, for better or worse.
The budget was roughly **$8 million**. It made a tiny fraction of that at the box office ($26,831 in its initial limited run), proving that maybe audiences weren't as ready to "move on" as the producers hoped.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you’re planning on watching the film or the Rust upcoming film trailer, here is what you need to keep in mind to navigate the noise:
- Check the Credits: The film specifically honors Halyna Hutchins. The transition between her work and Bianca Cline’s work is reportedly seamless, which is a massive technical achievement.
- Separate the Versions: There are technically two "versions" of Rust. The 2021 version that was cancelled and the 2024/2025 version that was actually released. The trailer represents the completed vision.
- Support the Estate: If your primary concern is whether or not your money supports the family, the settlement ensures that proceeds go to Halyna’s husband and son.
- Watch for Context: If you want to understand the full story, look for the documentary Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna, which was released around the same time to provide a more human look at the cinematographer’s life.
The film is currently available on most major digital platforms (VOD) and has had limited theatrical runs. It remains a polarizing piece of media, but it stands as a permanent reminder of why safety on film sets can never be "rushed" again.