Well, it finally happened. It took two years to get the movie in the can, and almost as long again to get it finished and ready to go. For a long time, people speculated that it would never see the light of day, that the most tasteful thing to do would be to abandon the project. But, one way or another, the cast, crew and backers made Rust happen. And it’s clear they put a lot into it. It’s true that, were it not for the terrible incident that occurred on set in October 2021, the movie would probably not have made much of an impact. It is about as standard a Western as you can imagine, one that hits all the narrative beats and clichés expected of the genre, but the technical quality of it is undeniable, bolstered by gorgeous cinematography, strong performances, and a really impressive turn from its child star, Patrick Scott McDermott.
What is ‘Rust’ About?

Lucas Hollister (McDermott) is a thirteen-year-old boy living in the grim reality of the Old West. Both his parents are dead, and he dedicates his life to caring for his little brother and trying to protect him from the cruelties of their everyday life. They rattle around their large family home, existing in the shadows and having only each other. When Lucas accidentally kills a man while defending the home, the boy is sentenced to hang, and while some of the adults around him feel a tinge of guilt about what has happened to this poor kid, they keep their heads down and maintain that the law is the law. His estranged grandaunt, played by Frances Fisher, visits him in his cell, essentially just to rub it in that she most certainly will not help him or take custody of the younger brother, and all hope seems lost.
Then, one night, he is unexpectedly sprung from jail by a grizzled old outlaw, Harland Rust (Alec Baldwin), who it later turns out is his grandfather. The two go on the run, intending to make it to the Mexican border, while several lawmen and bounty hunters are on their tails, determined to bring them both to justice. Of course, Lucas starts terrified of Harland, and makes a few escape attempts before conceding that he needs his grandpappy to make sure he gets through the desert in one piece, and if he ever wants to get back to his little brother, that is a necessity. Along the way, the boy gets to know his grandfather and their bond grows, before the inevitable third act cruelly separates them, just when they had come to love each other. Yes, if you have seen any Western movie ever, you know exactly where Rust is going. Tough old gunslinger, check. Precocious young teen, check. Lawmen on their backs, check. If you’re looking for originality, Rust is not the place to find it, but if you are the type that enjoys the atmosphere of the Western genre — the dusty landscapes, the blazing sun, the wooden towns and midnight campfires — then this is right up your street.
‘Rust’ is Artistically Strong, but Narratively Middling

Image via El Dorado Pictures

What immediately stands out about Rust is how splendid it is to look at. Every shot is arranged and framed as if it were standing alone, speaking for itself. The cinematography, initiated, of course, by Halyna Hutchins, and taken over by Bianca Cline in her absence, is absolutely splendid, drawing on the tangible realities of the setting and creating a world that feels like it lives and breathes. There is an almost exclusive use of natural lighting, which makes it all feel invitingly real. Out in the open, the sun beats down mercilessly, and campfires are the sole source of illumination at night; indoors, the thick shadows are broken only by bleak streaks of sunlight bursting through the windows. This raw, stripped-back feel goes a good way in ensuring that the atmosphere of Rust gives a sense of authenticity, and not that overly polished artifice that so many modern historical movies have.
Complimenting this authentic look are some really great performances from the cast. This is a considerable ensemble, with many bit-part characters you only see once, and it can be difficult to keep on top of who is who. But across the board, everyone, from the central lawmen to the one-line drunks getting into punch-ups on the street, absolutely sells their characters, offering a sense of immersion and stakes. This isn’t some cute little cowboy village, but a nasty, unfair chapter of American history that offers no mercy, not even to children.
Child Star Patrick Scott McDermott Steals the Show

It is a remarkable feat for a young actor to hold their own against such a hefty cast of talented adult actors, but more remarkable still when that young actor actually steals the show for himself. This is the first feature for Patrick Scott McDermott, whose work has mainly consisted of Broadway and television roles, and he has a captivating screen presence. The opening scenes of the movie rely heavily on him selling the trauma of his situation, and his face conveys an aching world-weariness from the off. This kid has seen a lot, and it has caused him terrible pain, but this is a dog-eat-dog world, and survival hinges on brushing off the ramifications of it all. There is something in McDermott’s eyes that tells his haunting story. He looks at people, particularly Harland, as if he has endured a thousand years of agony, but there is no sense of resignation, or indeed of effortless strength. It’s a look of necessity, of survival, and it is heartbreaking. Rust would be a fraction of itself without this incredible performance.
Opposite him is Alec Baldwin, who physically does a great job of embodying that grizzled old outlaw that every good Western needs. He looks the part, he moves and speaks the part, but what he doesn’t manage to do is make Harland very interesting. Every good, lovable outlaw needs to be, well, lovable. Or endearing, or wise, or at least compelling. The problem is, Harland Rust as a character is just not that interesting. Yes, his history ticks off all the standard points the genre demands, like losing everything he had, leaving his home, his wife and child dying. But what the script, and Baldwin’s performance, do with this foundation leaves something to be desired. For the momentum of the story — which inevitably involves the kid and the old man growing close, only to be tragically torn apart — to carry much weight, we have to understand why this grouchy old bastard has suddenly become so important to Lucas. It is much to McDermott’s credit that it feels like it’s not Harland himself that has grown on Lucas, but the sense of protection and companionship he offers.
Western fans will get a real kick out of Rust, I’m sure, and cinephiles who like a strongly immersive movie to lose themselves in for a couple of hours will also enjoy the world it builds. But the story drags unnecessarily, it feels a bit cluttered with too many characters, and it takes until the third act for it to really feel like it’s fulfilling its potential. It may have been a passion project for Baldwin and director Joel Souza, but it should have been reined in a little, and had some of its dead weight cut. This isn’t a story that needs two and a half hours, especially for how little it does to make it exciting.
Rust comes to theaters and VOD on May 2.

Rust

The controversial, long-awaited Western is carried on the back of a teenage actor.

Release Date

May 1, 2025

Director

Joel Souza

Writers

Joel Souza

Producers

Alec Baldwin, Anjul Nigam, Grant Hill, Anna Granucci, Matt Delpiano, Nathan Klingher, Ryan Winterstern, Ryan Donnell Smith

Alec Baldwin

Harland Rust

Pros & Cons

Patrick Scott McDermott delivers a knock-out performance as the young protagonist.
The cinematography is gorgeous and deeply immersive.

The lead character isn’t very interesting.
The story is standard Western fare with no surprises on offer.
Half an hour needs to be shaved off the runtime.