“Rust” (2024): A Western Marked by Tragedy and Reflection
Rust (2024) is a modern Western that attempts to balance gritty storytelling with a heavy real-world legacy. Directed by Joel Souza and starring Alec Baldwin, the film was initially conceived as a traditional tale of redemption and frontier justice. However, what was intended as a character-driven narrative about outlaws and family soon became infamous due to a tragic accident on set that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. After a long delay, legal battles, and industry-wide scrutiny, the film was eventually completed and released in 2024—haunted by its origins but determined to tell its story.
Set in the late 1800s, Rust follows Harland Rust, an aging outlaw who must protect his teenage grandson, Lucas, after the boy is accused of murder and sentenced to hang. With the law closing in, Rust breaks him out of jail, and the two embark on a perilous journey across rugged terrain, pursued by a U.S. Marshal and a bounty hunter. Along the way, they confront moral dilemmas, buried family secrets, and the question of whether a man like Rust can ever truly find redemption.
Stylistically, Rust embraces the traditions of classic Westerns, using wide desert vistas and dusty, barren towns to create a sense of isolation and inevitability. The cinematography—partially shot by Hutchins before the fatal incident—features sweeping landscape shots and warm, natural lighting that echo the genre’s iconic visual language. Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who stepped in to complete the project, worked closely with the creative team to preserve Hutchins’ vision, creating a seamless blend between the two contributions.
Despite its modest ambitions, the film was released under intense public scrutiny. Many viewers and critics found it difficult to separate the film’s content from the real-life tragedy behind its production. While Alec Baldwin’s performance as Rust is committed, and moments of emotional clarity shine through, the film as a whole was met with mixed reviews. Critics noted that while the direction and visuals were solid, the story lacked the originality and emotional weight to fully overcome the context of its making.
Thematically, Rust explores concepts of guilt, redemption, and legacy—both on-screen and off. Harland Rust’s personal journey mirrors, in many ways, the film’s own struggle: a confrontation with past mistakes and a hope, however uncertain, for forgiveness or understanding. Whether this parallel was intentional or not, it becomes impossible to ignore, especially in a film that closes with a dedication to Hutchins and a quiet moment of reflection.
Ultimately, Rust is not just a Western—it is a cinematic document shaped by loss, controversy, and perseverance. It’s a film that invites complex emotions and ethical considerations, asking audiences to weigh the art against the circumstances of its creation. While it may not leave a lasting mark on the genre, Rust will be remembered for the conversation it sparked—and the lives it irreversibly changed during its making.
