Controversial ‘Rust’ Heads to Theatrical, Digital and VOD May 2

In the Western set in 1880s Wyoming, Baldwin, 67, plays Harland Rust, an outlaw who comes out of hiding to save his 13-year-old grandson (Patrick Scott McDermott) after the boy is sentenced to hang for accidentally killing a rancher.

Directed by:

Joel Souza
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Patrick Scott McDermott, Travis Fimmel, Frances Fisher, Josh Hopkins
Written by: Joel Souza
Rating: NR
Running time: 133 minutes
Genre: Western
Theatrical Release: May 2, 2025
Country: USA
Studio: Falling Forward Films/Decal

Infamous outlaw Harland Rust breaks his estranged grandson Lucas out of prison, after Lucas is convicted to hang for an accidental murder. The two must outrun legendary U.S Marshal Wood Helm and bounty hunter Fenton “Preacher” Lang who are hot on their tails. Deeply buried secrets rise from the ashes and an unexpected familial bond begins to form as the mismatched duo tries to survive the merciless American Frontier.

The film gained notoriety for a shooting incident in October 2021 in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally killed when a live round was discharged from a prop gun handed to Baldwin. Baldwin was charged with manslaughter but the charges were dismissed; the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the weapon, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. There were a host of other problems on the set, including poor working conditions and a walkout by union workers. Film production was stopped and postponed indefintely.

After a two-year hiatus, the film resumed production and was completed in May of 2023. The seven-million dollar budgeted film had its world premiere at Camerimage on November 20, 2024, in Torun, Poland. Reception to the finished product was lukewarm and major distributors turned away from it. Falling Forward Films picked it up for limited release in the US (150 screens); Decal Releasing will handle the home entertainment release.