Alec Baldwin’s Life After 'Rust' Comes Into Focus in New Documentary Trailer

The story surrounding Alec Baldwin and the Rust shooting is getting a new look, this time from inside the actor’s own life. A new documentary called The Trial of Alec Baldwin has released its first trailer, giving viewers a closer look at what Baldwin went through after the deadly shooting on the set of Rust in 2021.

The film comes from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rory Kennedy, who began following Baldwin in 2023. Kennedy stayed with the actor as his legal problems continued, giving her access to a period of his life that was filled with court appearances, media attention and growing public pressure. The documentary is not simply focused on what happened on the Rust set. It also looks at how the case changed Baldwin’s life and how he dealt with the attention that followed.

In the trailer, Baldwin appears to speak openly about the experience and the strange position he found himself in. At one point, he asks how the situation became such a huge part of his life, describing it as a “vortex.” The footage suggests that the documentary will spend plenty of time with Baldwin away from the courtroom and show how he dealt with the emotional and personal impact of the case.

The Rust shooting happened on October 21, 2021, when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed during filming in New Mexico. According to the documentary’s official synopsis, the shooting was initially viewed as an accident. But as the investigation continued, questions about who was responsible began to grow.

Because Baldwin was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, the case quickly became much bigger than a typical film-set accident. His fame made him a major focus of the media, while his public image also became part of the discussion. The documentary’s official logline describes Baldwin as a successful and popular actor but also points to his reputation for anger and difficult behavior. That combination, the film suggests, helped make him a target for intense public criticism and constant attention from photographers.

The legal side of the story is also a major part of Kennedy’s film. The documentary follows the case against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. It also follows Baldwin’s own criminal case after he was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Baldwin’s case ended in July 2024 when a judge dismissed the charge with prejudice. According to court proceedings reported at the time, the judge found that prosecutors had failed to properly provide evidence to Baldwin’s defense team. Because the dismissal was with prejudice, prosecutors cannot bring the same charge against Baldwin again.

The documentary also looks at some of the more unusual moments from the legal battle. The trailer includes prosecutor Kari Morrissey appearing as a witness during proceedings. Baldwin, meanwhile, has continued to say that he did not pull the trigger of the gun that killed Hutchins.

For Kennedy, the story is about more than deciding who was right or wrong. The director has explained that Baldwin’s case raises bigger questions about justice, celebrity and the way the media can shape public opinion. She has said she wanted to explore what justice looks like when a case becomes a worldwide story and the person at its center is already one of the most famous people in the entertainment business.

The Trial of Alec Baldwin first premiered at DOC NYC in November 2025. Abramorama is handling the film’s distribution, with Kennedy, Mark Bailey and Julia Marchesi among the producers. The documentary is now moving toward its theatrical release, giving audiences a chance to see the story from a much more personal angle.

The film is scheduled to open in limited theaters on October 1, with a wider release planned for October 16. After years of headlines, courtroom battles and arguments online, The Trial of Alec Baldwin could bring a fresh wave of attention to the Rust case. Whether viewers see it as a defense of Baldwin, a deeper look at the tragedy, or simply an attempt to understand what happened, the documentary is likely to get people talking again.