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)

Feb 2, 2024

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

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Robert Levin

Newsday

Jan 31, 2024

3/4

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

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John Nugent

Empire Magazine

Nov 27, 2023

3/5

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.

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Clement Tyler Obropta

Film Inquiry

Aug 18, 2026

Colman Domingo’s Oscar-nominated performance as Bayard Rustin is odd to say the least, combining the anarchic energy of a coked-up fox with the nerdy horniness of Steve Urkel.

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Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

Aug 19, 2025

3.5/5

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.

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Marissa Hill

Shade Studios

Jul 29, 2025

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.

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Artdoggie

Jan 16, 2024

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.

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Sherry B

Nov 11, 2023

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.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 2, 2025

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Jun 12, 2025

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+)

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Laura D

@lauruhh Jun 7, 2025

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

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Autumn M

@RT26919073 Jun 2, 2025

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.

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Bayard Rustin

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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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