The headlines screamed. The trials unfolded. Social media dissected every agonizing detail. By now, the story of Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of "Rust" in 2021 is tragically familiar. But what about the story behind the headlines? What about the lives touched, the dreams shattered, the silent struggles endured?
Hulu's new documentary, "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna," dares to delve deeper. It's not just a recounting of facts; it's a raw, emotional exploration of the human cost of a tragedy.
The documentary allows the cast and crew of "Rust" to finally speak their truth. They recount the safety concerns that haunted the set, the horror of that fateful day, and the long, arduous journey of healing.
"This experience will never be over for anyone associated with it." - Josh Hopkins, Actor
Actor Devon Werkheiser poignantly describes the eerie experience of returning to set: "like being alone in a sea of people." This sentiment encapsulates the isolating nature of trauma, the feeling of being surrounded yet utterly alone in grief.
Noticeably absent from the interviews is Alec Baldwin, who faced involuntary manslaughter charges (later dropped) in connection with the shooting. While his legal battles played out in the public eye, "Last Take" focuses on the voices often unheard: the crew members, the friends, the colleagues who witnessed the tragedy firsthand.
However, viewers do hear from members of the production crew, including a father-son special effects team. The younger man somberly notes the incident is "something that will stick with you forever." His father poignantly admits that it’s the first time he's heard his son talk about the event, revealing the profound silence that trauma can impose.
The documentary unflinchingly explores the factors that contributed to the fatal shooting, from the camera crew's walkout over safety concerns to the inexperience of armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Actress Frances Fisher recalls her initial unease with Gutierrez Reed's handling of firearms:
"The sloppiness that Hannah displayed that first day…I wish I had said something to her and I wish I had said something to (Baldwin). But I don’t want to make waves, see? And would my alerting somebody, would that have changed anything? That’s what gnaws at me.”
This agonizing question hangs heavy in the air: Could this tragedy have been prevented?
Dave Halls, the assistant director who handed the prop gun to Baldwin, also shares his perspective:
"I was negligent in the inspection of that gun. It could have been a more thorough inspection... A thorough inspection didn’t happen. I could have been a last line of defense."
His words, filled with remorse, highlight the devastating consequences of negligence and the enduring burden of responsibility.
"Last Take" is directed by Rachel Mason, a friend of Halyna Hutchins, with Hutchins' husband, Matthew, serving as an executive producer. The documentary culminates in the completion of "Rust," a testament to Hutchins' artistic vision.
Director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, hopes viewers will "appreciate" Hutchins' work:
"You get to see it up on screen — how she saw the world. That’s pretty amazing.”
In the end, "Last Take" is more than just a true-crime documentary. It's a powerful reminder of the human cost of tragedy, the importance of safety, and the enduring power of art to honor the lives we've lost.