Cast and crew detail ‘Rust’ tragedy in new documentary: ‘This experience will never be over for anyone associated with it’

Hulu’s “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna” gives an account of the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins, told threw accounts from those associated with the production.

Through headlines, trials and social media, the tragic details of how cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of “Rust” in 2021 are well known to many. Less familiar, until a new documentary released Tuesday, is the story of her life, those who knew her and those who lived through – and now with – her death. In “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” cast and crew members from the film open up about safety concerns some had leading up to the fatal shooting, being on set that day and dealing with the aftermath. They recall their experiences, like learning from online media reports that their friend and co-worker had died. The details make for compelling storytelling in the documentary, but, on a human level, the vividness of their memories seemingly makes the path toward healing from the trauma difficult. “I’m glad there’s a different ending for the experience,” actor Josh Hopkins says at one point, speaking from the set after the production team had made a deal with Hutchins’ family to resume production and finish the film. “But this experience will never be over for anyone associated with it.” Actor Devon Werkheiser describes the cast and crew’s return and being back in his wardrobe as eerie – “like being alone in a sea of people.” “I guess that’s how trauma and grief goes,” he says.