The documentary "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna" is set to premiere on Hulu on March 11, 2025, offering a poignant exploration of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins's life and work. Directed by Rachel Mason, a friend and colleague of Hutchins, the film delves into the tragic incident that led to Hutchins's death on the set of the film "Rust" in 2021. The documentary includes sensitive footage of the shooting, depicting Alec Baldwin during rehearsal, with the identities of those involved carefully protected.
Rachel Mason faced a challenging decision regarding the inclusion of this footage. Although she initially hesitated, Mason explained how editing sometimes dictates unexpected narratives.
"I didn’t necessarily want to include that footage, but that it started to happen in edit. Things do come out of edit and you suddenly realize, ‘Oh, we need that.'" – Rachel Mason
Despite these complexities, Mason emphasized her primary focus was on celebrating Halyna Hutchins's artistry and contributions to cinema.
“All I wanted to do was focus on the good stuff—Halyna’s art,” Mason told Decider. “But what you end up having to do are two different things. Sometimes the film tells you have to do this, sometimes executives tell you you have to.” – Rachel Mason
The documentary offers a comprehensive view of the events leading up to the tragic incident. It reveals that several camera operators had walked off set due to safety concerns. Consequently, Hutchins and director Joel Souza were positioned closer to the camera rather than behind monitors. At the time of the accident, Hutchins was instructing Baldwin on how to angle his gun toward the camera when it accidentally discharged live rounds.
The film also includes interrogation footage of Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. In these scenes, Gutierrez-Reed appears visibly distraught and apologetic. The documentary highlights her emotional turmoil following the incident.
Director Joel Souza, who was injured during the shooting, provides a personal account of the event in the film.
“I kinda remember feeling like someone hit me in the shoulder with a bat. I couldn’t move anything,” Souza says in the film. “I was laying this way, and she was laying that way. I remember just locking eyes with her for a minute.” – Joel Souza
Mason's approach to the documentary balances sensitivity and truth. She noted her intent to handle delicate aspects with care.
“I really wanted to make sure that was subtle. If we had to have it, we would have to do it like this.” – Rachel Mason
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