The 2025 film Rust unfolds as a gripping Western drama set in 1882 Wyoming Territory. The story begins with 13-year-old Lucas Hollister, a recently orphaned boy who takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger brother Jacob and running their family farm alone. Early in the film, Lucas confronts a local bully harassing Jacob, using an ax handle to fend him off. Later, while chasing a wolf near the ranch, Lucas accidentally shoots a rancher—the father of the bully—who arrives unexpectedly and dies from the wound.

This incident leads to a courtroom scene where Lucas is harshly sentenced to death by hanging, despite his actions appearing accidental to the viewer. The judge dismisses appeals, and attempts by Lucas' grandmother Frances Fisher to intervene come too late. Lucas awaits his grim fate in jail.

One tense night, as Lucas is confined, a shadowy stranger infiltrates the jail, unlocking his cell and urging Lucas to escape with him. This stranger reveals himself to be Harland Rust, Lucas' outlaw grandfather. Harland rescues Lucas from his hanging sentence, and together they flee toward the New Mexico Territory near the US-Mexico border. Initially, Lucas resents Harland’s harshness and criminal past, but as they travel through rugged landscapes, they bond over shared losses—Lucas lost his parents, and Harland lost his wife and son to illness and suicide.

Parallel to their escape, we meet Marshal Wood Helm, a local lawman who is struggling personally, having lost his faith after his sick son’s suffering. Wood, along with his posse, relentlessly pursues Harland and Lucas, as do bounty hunters like the unstable Fenton "Preacher" Lang, and local Kiowa Native Americans.

In a gripping scene, Lucas and Harland narrowly survive a confrontation with the Kiowa by paying tribute, revealing the harsh realities of the time. Shortly thereafter, they are captured but quickly escape amidst a chaotic shootout between the marshal’s forces and bounty hunters fighting over who will claim the capture.

The tension escalates in a dramatic confrontation where Harland saves Marshal Wood’s life by shooting Preacher. Following this, Harland agrees to surrender on the condition that Lucas be allowed to flee. Wood, moved by gratitude and conscience, honors this pact.

Harland’s injuries from the fight prove fatal. He faces hanging despite his sacrifice, a somber and stirring end for the outlaw. Meanwhile, Lucas crosses into Mexico and reunites with his younger brother Jacob and their mother’s aunt, who is revealed to have orchestrated Harland’s efforts to save Lucas.

The film closes with Lucas introducing himself as Lucas Rust, symbolically accepting his grandfather’s legacy as he begins a new life in Mexico, carrying forward both survival and family bonds forged in hardship and sacrifice.

This narrative arc is delivered with vivid scenes contrasting brutal frontier justice, poignant family relationships, and harsh landscapes, immersing the viewer in the emotional and physical journey of Lucas from vulnerable orphan to a boy claiming his heritage.

Lucas and his grandfather Harland Rust start with animosity and distrust, as Lucas is wary of the rough discipline and authority Harland imposes. However, as they journey together toward the US-Mexico border, they bond over shared experiences of family loss and hardship. Harland acts as a protector and mentor, ultimately sacrificing himself to save Lucas, who comes to accept and identify with his grandfather's legacy.

The main antagonists include Marshal Wood Helm and his posse, bounty hunters such as the mentally unstable Fenton 'Preacher' Lang, and Kiowa Native Americans. Marshal Wood is conflicted but pursues them due to his duty, while bounty hunters are motivated by the $1000 reward for capturing Rust and Lucas. The Kiowa pursue them as well, creating multiple threats during their escape.

Preacher, played by Travis Fimmel, is a menacing bounty hunter who adds significant tension through his unstable and theatrical behavior. He quotes the Bible and performs public displays of spiritual torment, making him a chilling antagonist reminiscent of classic thriller villains. His presence escalates the danger for Lucas and Harland, culminating in a violent confrontation where Harland saves Marshal Wood's life by shooting Preacher.

Mrs. Evelyn Bassett, a civilized lady from Chicago, is revealed to be the mastermind behind her brother Harland Rust's efforts to save Lucas. She provides a safe haven for Lucas and his younger brother Jacob in Mexico, representing a figure of care and stability in contrast to the harshness of the Western frontier.

Survival in Rust is portrayed as a harsh and merciless struggle in the lawless Western frontier. Lucas, a 13-year-old orphan, must navigate threats from bounty hunters, lawmen, and hostile environments. His journey with Harland is a race against time to reach safety across the border. The film explores how survival often requires tough choices, reliance on unlikely allies, and the tension between brutality and care, as seen in Lucas' evolving relationship with his grandfather and great aunt.

The movie Rust (2025) is not family friendly and may be unsuitable for children or sensitive viewers due to its intense and mature content.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes include:

• Frequent bloody violence: Numerous shootings, stabbings, beatings, visible wounds, dead bodies, hangings, and physical fights involving children and adults.
• Sexual content: Several scenes of a sexual nature including prostitution, though no nudity is shown.
• Profanity: Contains multiple sexual expletives, scatological curses, occasional mild curses, and use of racial and ethnic slurs.
• Alcohol and drug use: Adult drinking, child given a cigarette causing illness, and depiction of intoxication.
• Disturbing animal scene: A rabbit trapped, screaming, and its neck being broken.
• Emotional intensity: The film deals with themes of death, familial loss, and violence which may be emotionally overwhelming, especially for highly sensitive children.

Given these factors, Rust presents strong imagery and themes that can be highly distressing to children and sensitive viewers. Parental discretion is strongly advised.