Hulu Announces Premiere Date for “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna”

Hulu has announced the upcoming release of Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna, a feature-length documentary directed and produced by Rachel Mason. The film, which explores the tragic events surrounding the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, is set to premiere on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, exclusively on Hulu.

Produced by Story Syndicate, Anonymous Content, and Concordia Studio, the documentary aims to move beyond the sensationalized headlines to provide a deeply personal and investigative look into the incident that occurred on the set of Rust in 2021.

A Tragic Incident That Shook Hollywood

On October 21, 2021, during the filming of the Western movie Rust in New Mexico, a prop firearm held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged a live round, fatally wounding Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The tragedy immediately became a major news story, sparking widespread debate about safety protocols in the film industry.

For months, and eventually years, the case remained in the public eye, with lawsuits, criminal investigations, and industry-wide discussions about firearm safety on set. However, as the legal battles and media coverage intensified, Hutchins’ personal story and legacy were often overshadowed by controversy.

A Personal and Investigative Approach

Directed by Hutchins’ close friend and collaborator Rachel Mason, Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna offers an intimate perspective on the tragedy. Rather than focusing solely on the legal aftermath, the documentary presents the voices of those who were closest to Halyna—both professionally and personally.

In a statement about the film, Mason shared her personal connection to Hutchins and her motivation for making the documentary:

“Halyna was dear to me for many reasons. Not only was she a friend, she was a collaborator. While she was alive, I could never have imagined making a film about her. My hope was to make films with her, and to support her in all the many films that she was sure to make. In the media frenzy which followed her death, it felt as if Halyna was erased, her loss eclipsed by the surrounding controversies. Our film aims to keep her at the center, while offering a portrait of the experience of those with whom she spent her final 12 days, which hopefully, through their efforts, offers the world a very much unfinished portrait of Halyna.”

Through exclusive interviews, never-before-seen footage, and Halyna’s own personal archives, the documentary seeks to restore the focus on her artistry, ambition, and impact on the film industry.

Behind-the-Scenes Access and Investigative Depth

Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna combines public court records, behind-the-scenes footage from Rust, and exclusive access to key individuals who were directly involved in the incident or its aftermath. The film not only investigates what went wrong on set but also examines the broader issue of on-set safety and how this tragedy prompted discussions about industry standards.

The documentary also explores:

• The official investigations into the Rust set safety protocols
• The personal and professional impact on Hutchins’ colleagues and loved ones
• The emotional and legal fallout for those involved
• How Hutchins’ story has influenced changes in Hollywood safety measures

Remembering Halyna Hutchins

Halyna Hutchins, born on April 9, 1979, in Horodets, Ukraine, was a rising cinematographer known for her work on films such as Archenemy, Darlin’, and Blindfire. She was widely respected for her vision, talent, and dedication to the craft of filmmaking.

Following her death, the Halyna Hutchins Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to support female cinematographers, ensuring her legacy lives on by providing opportunities for women in the film industry.

Her passing also ignited conversations about set safety, leading to several productions, including ABC’s The Rookie, opting to replace real firearms with Airsoft guns and CGI effects to prevent future accidents.

Production and Creative Team

The documentary is a Hulu Original produced by:

• Julee Metz, Kate Barry, Jon Bardin, and Will Cohen (Story Syndicate)
• Jessica Grimshaw, Nick Shumaker, and Jennifer Sears (Anonymous Content)

The executive producers include:

• Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, and Tommy Coriale (Story Syndicate)
• Lizzie Fox and Casey Meurer (Concordia Studio)
• David Levine (Anonymous Content)
• Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s husband

Rachel Mason serves as the director and producer of the film in association with FutureClown Productions.

A Documentary That Seeks Justice and Healing

While Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna will undoubtedly revisit painful moments, its core mission is to ensure that Halyna Hutchins is remembered not as a headline, but as an artist, a mother, a wife, and a passionate filmmaker whose work was tragically cut short.

The film is expected to be a raw, emotional, and investigative portrayal that not only honors her life but also sheds light on the deeper issues surrounding on-set safety, responsibility, and accountability.

Hulu subscribers can watch Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna when it premieres on March 11, 2025.