Rust (2024 film)

Rust
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel Souza
Screenplay byJoel Souza
Story by
Produced by
  • Melina Spadone
  • Ryan Winterstern
  • Nathan Klingher
  • Alec Baldwin
  • Matt DelPiano
  • Ryan Donnell Smith
  • Anjul Nigam
  • Grant Hill
Starring
Cinematography
Edited byDavid Andalman
Music by
  • James Jackson
  • Lilie Bytheway-Hoy
Production
companies
  • El Dorado Pictures
  • Short Porch Pictures
  • Thomasville Pictures
  • April Productions
  • In Association With
  • Bondit Media Capital
  • 120DB Films
Distributed byFalling Forward Films
Release dates
  • November 20, 2024 (2024-11-20) (Camerimage)
  • May 2, 2025 (2025-05-02) (United States)
Running time
140 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million
Box office$26,831

Rust is a 2024 American Western film written and directed by Joel Souza. It stars Alec Baldwin (who also produced and co-wrote the story with Souza), Patrick Scott McDermott, Josh Hopkins, Frances Fisher, and Travis Fimmel. The film follows an outlaw who flees for Mexico along with his grandson, but must avoid pursuing law enforcers.

Three years before its release, the film gained notoriety due to a shooting accident in which Souza and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were shot after a live round was discharged from a prop revolver fired between takes by Baldwin. Hutchins died shortly after, while Souza was injured. An initial set of charges against Baldwin were dropped in 2023 and another set dismissed in 2024. Producers, including Baldwin, eventually decided to resume filming, with Souza since expressing regret in having begun production on the film at all, stating that "I wish I never wrote the damn movie".

The completed project premiered at the Polish film festival Camerimage on November 20, 2024. Rust was released theatrically in the United States on May 2, 2025 to mixed reviews. The film grossed only $26,831 against a budget of $8 million, which was generally credited to the notoriety from the shooting.