Watch Alec Baldwin confront the fatal Rust shooting in Rory Kennedy's documentary trailer. In theaters October 16, 2026!
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rory Kennedy (Last Days in Vietnam, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib) has unveiled the official trailer for The Trial of Alec Baldwin, an intimate feature-length documentary examining the October 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of Rust. Distributed by independent theatrical label Abramorama, the 111-minute non-fiction film captures unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Alec Baldwin navigating the criminal justice system, intense public scrutiny, and personal trauma. Following an exclusive theatrical debut in Los Angeles and New York starting October 1, 2026, the documentary expands nationwide across North American cinemas on October 16, 2026.
What Does The Trial of Alec Baldwin Trailer Reveal About the Rust Case?
The newly released footage offers a raw, unfiltered look at Baldwin's immediate reaction to the tragedy and the multi-year legal storm that followed.
- Disbelief at Halyna Hutchins' Death: Baldwin reflects on the exact moment law enforcement informed him that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins had passed away, revealing he was in complete shock and disbelief after the revolver discharged live ammunition.
- Unprecedented Access Since 2023: Filmmaker Rory Kennedy began embedding with Baldwin and his family in 2023, capturing intimate moments as prosecutors refiled involuntary manslaughter charges leading up to the New Mexico trial.
- Vulnerability Under Public Scrutiny: Baldwin acknowledges that the film shows him "at his worst," reflecting on how the ordeal damaged his health, finances, and family life while he simply wished to be acquitted so people would leave him alone.
How Did Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial End?
The documentary tracks the legal fallout through July 2024, when Baldwin's criminal prosecution reached a sudden conclusion in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Trial Dismissed With Prejudice: Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer tossed out the case just days into the trial after defense attorneys discovered state prosecutors and law enforcement withheld ammunition evidence from the defense.
- No Option for Retrial: Because the judge ruled the prosecution's failure to disclose evidence was deliberate, the charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning the state cannot bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin again for the incident.
- Central Focus on Tragedy: Kennedy stresses that while the documentary observes Baldwin's trial, it maintains Halyna Hutchins as the primary victim, exploring the complex grief and systemic failures surrounding the film set.
Check out independent film theatrical listings or reserve advance screening tickets through Abramorama ahead of the wide theatrical launch on October 16, 2026.