Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ Surprises Critics with Audience Love Despite Tragic Set Incident

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Certain projects become inextricably linked with their associated controversies, be it through legal disputes, personal conflicts, or unfortunate events such as deaths. The turmoil surrounding them leaves an indelible mark on these projects’ histories.

One example of a contentious film release is Alec Baldwin’s latest Western, which has been in production for quite some time (it began filming in October 2021). However, everything came to a sudden halt when Baldwin unintentionally discharged a live bullet from a prop gun on set, injuring the director and tragically taking the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The path to the theater for this film has been long, and after receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, Rust garnered more positive feedback from the audience on various platforms.

As a dedicated cinema lover, I was eagerly waiting for the release of “Rust”. However, it didn’t start on a high note with an initial critic score of 56% on the review-aggregator website. This low score earned it the dreaded “rotten” badge. As more reviews trickled in, the movie unfortunately dipped even further, reaching a dismal 45% approval rating out of 29 reviews.

The Western film received a significantly positive response from cinema-goers, boasting a 73% rating on the Popcornmeter based on over 50 reviews. Audience feedback highlights the movie as being “engrossing, enjoyable, and visually stunning,” making it a must-watch. Praise was also given to the well-developed characters, competent direction, and editing. Some viewers described it as a thoughtful film with comedic elements, while others appreciated its striking visuals, impressive cinematography, and strong performances.

Several reviews emphasize the heart-wrenching event that took Hutchins’ life. However, opinions on Baldwin’s portrayal were mixed. Some viewers found his acting brilliant in the film, while others considered him as the weakest link, often waiting for him to deliver a line and expect him to conclude with “Lemon,” which is a nod to…

Rust Will Likely Become a Box Office Flop

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the Western film, Rust, despite garnering positive feedback from viewers, seems destined for a disappointing run at the box office. After its initial release, the film hasn’t amassed enough reviews to secure its success, and the modest buzz around it doesn’t bode well either.

The movie was made on a budget of $8 million, which means it needs to earn over $16 million just to break even. Unfortunately, during its debut weekend, it only managed to gross $25 million, according to reports. This suggests that Rust may struggle to recover its costs and turn a profit.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the recent Western film, Rust, has had a selective release, only gracing the screens of 115 theaters across the United States. This cinematic gem is the brainchild of director and co-writer Joel Souza, who skillfully guided an impressive cast consisting of Patrick Scott McDermott, Travis Fimmel, Frances Fisher, Jake Busey, Josh Hopkins, and Devon Werkheiser.

After the unfortunate demise of Hutchins, a legal dispute arose. Nevertheless, the family chose to resolve the matter outside of court, leading to the dismissal of charges against Baldwin. Subsequently, Hutchins’ spouse, Matthew Hutchins, was appointed as an executive producer on the movie.

At the Camerimage Film Festival, held in Poland during fall 2024, there was controversy over the festival’s decision to screen the movie prematurely. The festival is known for celebrating excellence in cinematography. However, this move drew criticism. Despite being a producer of the film, Alec Baldwin did not make an appearance at the event.

Rust is currently playing in theaters.

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2025-05-07 20:13