A woman died filming Alec Baldwin’s Western movie “Rust,” but should you feel guilty watching it? The film raises a difficult question: is it okay to see this movie?
During a rehearsal in New Mexico on October 21, 2021, Alec Baldwin’s gun discharged a live bullet, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. For some, watching the film might seem like a gruesome voyeuristic act.
However, for others, including Hutchins’ colleagues and family, supporting the film pays tribute to her final artistic pursuit as a wife, daughter, and friend. “Halyna’s family knew just how important her art was to her, and they did not want it to simply vanish,” said Joel Souza, director of the film.
The movie represents the apex of Hutchins’ cinematic work, and all efforts were made to convey that sentiment to those who worked on the movie after the fatal incident. Seeing ‘Rust’ is a way of helping the family of Halyna Hutchins, according to Rachel Mason, a longtime friend and director of the Hulu documentary “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna.”
The money from the film will go to Hutchins’ family, with none of the original producers sharing in profits as part of a wrongful-death settlement reached between Hutchins and Baldwin. The production team has also expressed their commitment to completing the film, despite the tragedy.
Baldwin himself did not opt to resume production after the shooting, but the decision was driven largely by Hutchins’ family’s desire to see the project completed for both emotional and financial reasons.
The documentary “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna” highlights the making of “Rust,” with footage that showcases Hutchins’ exceptional skill as a cinematographer. The film has been hailed as an exception in many ways, despite being a low-budget Western.
While some may question the decision to release the film, it is clear that Hutchins’ family and colleagues are committed to honoring her memory through her art. Watching “Rust” can be seen as a way of supporting their efforts.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/05/02/rust-death-should-you-watch-alec-baldwin-movie/83148201007