A new documentary coming to Hulu in March has been announced, and it’s a story that has been in the news for more than three years now. Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna takes a look at the events leading to the tragic death of 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins.
In October of 2021, while rehearsing a scene for the movie Rust, actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun, only to discover it held live ammunition. The bullet struck cinematographer Halyna and traveled through her chest, then exited and hit director Joel Souza in the shoulder.
Although Halyna was taken by helicopter to a hospital, upon arrival, she was pronounced dead. Souza was treated for his wound and released, and an investigation into the incident began.
There is a lot of information out there about the investigation and its findings, and most of us know that the set of Rust was found to be unsafe and that Baldwin was subsequently charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The charges were dropped three months later, and filming resumed. Eventually, the wrongful death suit filed by Halyna’s husband, Matthew, was settled, and as part of the settlement, he came on board the production as an executive producer.
That was a unique and meaningful way to make sure that Rust, which Halyna was very proud of, not only would be completed, but would do so under the watchful eye of her husband (with whom she had a 9-year-old son).
Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna will premier on Hulu March 11
What makes Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna unique in the realm of documentaries is that it takes a different stance on its story-telling technique. That is due to the fact that the film’s director, Rachel Mason was actually friends with Hutchins.
In the press release for Last Take, Mason says: “In the media frenzy which followed her death, it felt as if Halyna was erased, her loss eclipsed by the surrounding controversies.” As a way to correct this wrong, Mason chose to place her focus on the people who were part of Halyna’s life, including friends and family, and others who were on the set of the film. Many of them are still experiencing trauma.
Viewers will also get a look at the public records, Halyna’s personal archives, and the investigations regarding safety protocols on the film set. Mason hopes that the documentary will bring more attention to her friend’s life and what she had hoped to achieve.