The official trailer for Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rory Kennedy’s The Trial of Alec Baldwin follows the star and producer of Rust as he faces criminal charges for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Kennedy’s documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at Baldwin immediately after the accidental shooting and during his trial.
The documentary begins its limited run in LA on October 1, 2026, followed by an expanded release on October 16.
The official synopsis reads, “On October 21, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is killed on a movie set by a prop gun held by the actor Alec Baldwin. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, virtually no one doubts that it was an accident and a deeply traumatizing experience for everyone involved. After the shock subsides, questions of responsibility, guilt, blame, punishment, and justice begin circulating in the media, fueled largely by Baldwin’s fame, as well as his reputation.
Talented and adored, yet also flawed, politically outspoken, and prone to explosions of anger, the NYC-based Hollywood star becomes a lightning rod for online haters and a target for pushy paparazzi. With prosecutors weighing criminal charges, the events that unfold are driven less by the facts surrounding the case and more by who Alec Baldwin is — both as a man and as a public figure.”
Mark Bailey and Julia Marchesi wrote the film and Kennedy (Downfall: The Case Against Boeing) directed. Kennedy, Bailey, and Marchesi serve as producers, with Jared Underwood, Andrew C. Robinson, Colin Marshall, Todd Thompson, Rita Powers, Tanner Cusumano, Rob Guillermo, Ray Maiello, Louis Krubich, Dan Fried, Randy Jones Toll, and Steven Toll executive producing.
Speaking with Variety in November 2025, Kennedy explained she was interested in discovering what justice in Baldwin’s particular case would look like. “It became clear that questions of accountability and justice couldn’t be separated from the forces of celebrity, media scrutiny, and Alec’s complicated public image,” stated Kennedy. “I personally found myself questioning what justice truly means in a case like this and whether, under these circumstances, a fair trial was even possible.”
This post was last modified on September 10, 2026 1:33 pm