Rustin

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1:54

Rustin

PG-13

2023

1h 48m

Drama

Biography

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

173 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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

it is not solely an educational film but it fully engages its audience emotionally as well as we desperately want to see Rustin succeed in organising his march and being recognized for his efforts as part of the civil rights movement.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 19, 2025

Full Review

Marissa Hill

Shade Studios

If you’re looking for a film that’s both inspiring and deeply human, this could be the perfect match. It’s not just a celebration of one man’s legacy—it’s a tribute to many.

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

With a great performance by Colman Domingo, some emotional moments, and a strong social commitment, the film fails to stand out too much due to its conventionality, nor does it imbue this struggle with sufficient epicness. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Jul 23, 2025

Full Review

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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

Full Review

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

Stephen C

1 hour and 48 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Violence, Racial Slurs, Thematic Material, Language, Brief Drug Use, Sexual Material and Smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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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