Rustin

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1:54

Rustin

PG-13

Released Nov 3, 2023

1h 48m

Drama

Biography

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

169 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The architect of 1963's momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten. Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Rustin shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom.

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Critics Consensus

Colman Domingo is sensational in Rustin, a stirring biopic that shines an overdue light on a remarkable legacy of public service.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

Domingo’s performance is electric. He captures Rustin’s organiser as a defiant performer, making history he would be written out of.

Feb 2, 2024

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Robert Levin

Newsday

It's an important work of historical storytelling that functions just as well as a compelling character study.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 31, 2024

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John Nugent

Empire Magazine

This welcome spotlight on a lesser-known civil rights hero doesn’t escape the usual biopic clichés — but Colman Domingo’s impressive, deeply layered performance does this corner of history justice.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 27, 2023

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Branyan Towe

Loud and Clear Reviews

Colman Domingo is an absolute sensation in the role of Bayard Rustin. It is not a stretch to call this his greatest work to date and a role that he frankly was put on this earth to play.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 25, 2024

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Zach Youngs

InSession Film

It’s a very safe type of film, but an enjoyable and uplifting one to watch.

Rated: B

Jul 3, 2024

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Sarah Marrs

Lainey Gossip

Colman Domingo brings wit and wisdom to Bayard, but his performance deserves a better film than this.

May 29, 2024

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Artdoggie

Coleman Domingo is a revelation as Rustin. We celebrated MLK holiday watching this movie and it didnt fail to inspire and touch us with its power and beauty.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

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Sherry B

Colman Domingo's performance was wonderful. The movie sheds light on what happened in the weeks leading up to the March on Washington. It showed how people working together can make anything happen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Kyle M

During a time of cautious cynicism and injustice, this overdue prolific defiance remarkably shines a light between the solid vision and inspirationally uplifting dedication onto the refining unsung efforts with engaging results, mainly upheld by the excellent cast beneath Colman Domingo’s extraordinary performance. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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Laura D

Great movie, showcases more than one level of injustice while highlighting racial injustices.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Autumn M

Rustin is the story of one of the most interesting, unsung heroes of the Civil Rights movement. Colman Doming is pitch perfect in this biopic. It is interesting to see the Civil Rights movement from a lesser known figure's eyes. I was also surprised at how political the organizations were. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Michael P

In 2 minds on this movie. Whilst undoubtedly a technically well made movie and really well acted, especially Coleman Domingos as Rustin, and the story is interesting, I got a bit bored in some parts and dragged a little. It's hard not to be inspired by the overall feat of what happened and it the movie does convey the achievement but I wish there was more of the day.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

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George C. Wolfe

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Colman Domingo

Bayard Rustin

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Rustin: Trailer 1

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Rustin: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

The architect of 1963's momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten. Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Rustin shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom.

Director: George C. Wolfe
Producer: Bruce Cohen, Tonia Davis, Priya Swaminathan
Screenwriter: Julian Breece, Dustin Lance Black
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Higher Ground Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Racial Slurs|Thematic Material|Language|Brief Drug Use|Sexual Material|Smoking)
Genre: Drama, Biography, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 3, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2023
Runtime: 1h 48m

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