Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna
| Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna | |
|---|---|
 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Rachel Mason |
| Produced by |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by |
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| Music by | Chanell Crichlow |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Hulu |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna is an 2025 American documentary film, directed and produced by Rachel Mason. It follows the life, career, and death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
It was released on March 11, 2025, by Hulu.
Premise
[edit]Explores the life and career of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and her death on the set of Rust. Additionally exploring the lawsuits, criminal trials, and investigations. The project seeks to redeem the story of Hutchins, whose story was minimized by the media.
Production
[edit]Rachel Mason was a close friend of Hutchins, and was approached by her husband, Matthew Hutchins, to make a documentary revolving around her life.[1][2] Mason received approval to film the resuming of production on Rust interviewing Joel Souza and Bianca Cline, among others.[3] Mason reached out to Alec Baldwin who declined to participate, as he is working on another documentary about production of Rust with Rory Kennedy.[4][5]
In November 2022, it was announced a documentary revolving around Hutchens was in production, with Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan set to executive produce via Story Syndicate, alongside Matthew Hutchins.[6]
Release
[edit]It was released on March 11, 2025, by Hulu.[7]
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10.[8] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 67 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[9]
Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "Last Take is a gut-wrenching reminder of a terrible tragedy that happened because mistakes were up and down the line, mistakes that were easily preventable if only the proper and safe measures had been taken."[10] Joe Leyden of Variety wrote: "Director Rachel Mason’s Hulu documentary about her late friend is evenhanded and impactful in its pursuit of truth beyond tabloid headlines."[11]
Natalia Winkelman of The New York Times criticized the film's approach writing: "Despite testimony from Hutchins’s friends that repeatedly references her artistry, Mason rarely incorporates clips of Hutchins’s cinematography outside “Rust.”[12] Additional criticism of its approach was made by Joel Souza at a post-screening Q&A for the film directed towards director Rachel Mason and producer Julee Metz, stating: "I hoped it might have a little more Halyna in it or been a little more about Halyna. I know that was your original intention when you talked to me about it. And I could tell when we would talk over the years in the intervening time that you were under some pressure.”"[13] Mason in an interview responded by stating: "Initially, it was a more independent, keeping-your-head down, doing-what-you-want kind of film. Then it became more commercial. Not just commercial—there were absolute, pressing questions the public had. It was a news story. The public is asking these things. If we don’t try to answer them, there will be a question hanging over the film."[14] Sam Adams of Slate wrote in his review: "If the movie has a villain, it’s those same commercial incentives."[15]
References
[edit]- ^ Mason, Rachel (October 27, 2021). "Filmmaker Rachel Mason Remembers Halyna Hutchins: 'She Pushed Me Into So Many Places' (Guest Column)". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (February 26, 2025). "Rust Cast and Crew React to Halyna Hutchins Death in Real Time in New Documentary Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Keegan, Rebecca (July 8, 2024). "As Alec Baldwin Heads to Trial, Dueling 'Rust' Documentaries Become Part of Tangled Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (March 11, 2025). "Director of 'Rust' Documentary Reflects on Halyna Hutchins' Death: 'I've Changed My Whole Idea of What Justice Means'". Variety. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Kilkenny, Katie (June 6, 2024). "Director Rachel Mason Talks New Series on Family Vlogging and Status of 'Rust' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (November 16, 2022). "'Rust' Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Getting Docu Treatment From Story Syndicate, Director Rachel Mason; Project Authorized By DP's Husband Matt Hutchins". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 6, 2025). "'Rust' Doc Examining Halyna Hutchins Accidental Death and Aftermath to Premiere on Hulu". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna". Metacritic. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Roeper, Richard (March 10, 2025). "Heartbreaking doc 'Last Take' sums up the spirit of a skilled film artist and the errors that took her life". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Leyden, Joe (March 11, 2025). "'Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna' Review: A Fascinating Probe Into the Death of Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins". Variety. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Winkelman, Natalia (March 11, 2025). "'Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna' Review: Confusing Accounts". The New York Times. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Keegan, Rebecca (March 5, 2025). "A Tense 'Rust' Doc Screening Reveals the Painful Evolution of a Film About Dead Cinematographer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Menta, Anna (March 11, 2025). "'Last Take' Director Says Her 'Rust' Doc About Friend Halyna Hutchins "Became More Commercial" Along The Way: "Sometimes Executives Tell You You Have To" (UPDATED)". Decider.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Adams, Sam (March 11, 2025). "A Harrowing Documentary Examines Who's to Blame for the Rust Shooting". Slate. Retrieved March 19, 2025.