Netflix has once again captured the attention of global audiences with the release of the official trailer for its upcoming animated film Rust, featuring the voice talents and animated likeness of Travis Fimmel. The trailer, now trending across social media platforms, delivers a striking blend of gritty dystopian aesthetics, emotional storytelling, and intense action. This marks a bold new chapter in animated storytelling, with Fimmel’s brooding presence lending a grounded, visceral energy to the digital screen.
Rust unfolds in a crumbling post-technological world, where the remnants of human civilization are overtaken by an eerie, oxidized wasteland. The trailer opens with a haunting visual: rusted-out towers collapsing into dust, mechanized birds scattering across a crimson sky, and a lone figure trudging across the iron-red sands. That figure is Reik, voiced by Fimmel, a former war-engineer haunted by his role in the downfall of civilization. The mood is bleak yet beautiful, and every frame pulses with atmosphere.
Fimmel’s character is not your typical animated hero. Reik is rugged, world-weary, and deeply conflicted. His dialogue in the trailer is sparse, relying on tone and expression—animated with impressive nuance—to convey his inner turmoil. A line like “They asked me to build a future… I gave them an end” echoes ominously as Reik stares into a decaying machine altar. The character design captures Fimmel’s likeness closely, down to his steely eyes and signature scowl, adding an uncanny layer of realism.
Accompanying Reik on his reluctant journey is a young girl named Sol, a tech-born orphan immune to the rusting disease that’s infecting both organic and mechanical life. The trailer hints at an unlikely bond between the hardened soldier and the innocent child, drawing emotional depth from their interactions. Sol’s presence provides a counterbalance to Reik’s grim perspective, and together they seem to represent the last fragile hope of salvation in a poisoned world.
The animation is jaw-dropping. Using a mix of hand-painted textures and cutting-edge motion design, the world of Rust is rich with detail and tension. Rusting gears turn silently in the background. Cities crumble slowly like sandcastles in the wind. Giant sentient machines, once protectors of humanity, now roam the land as half-mad titans. The fusion of mechanical and organic decay creates a unique visual identity that sets this film apart from anything else in the genre.
The trailer also showcases some of the film’s most exhilarating action sequences. One highlight is a rooftop chase where Reik battles corrupted drones while holding Sol under his arm. Another is a quiet but tense standoff between Reik and a former ally now turned into a cyborg zealot. The fluidity of motion and sharpness of design indicate a meticulous attention to animated choreography, likely to impress even the most seasoned animation fans.
A haunting soundtrack composed by an acclaimed indie musician underscores the trailer’s tone. Ethereal vocals, layered with glitchy synth and ancient percussion, create an otherworldly atmosphere. The music doesn’t merely accompany the visuals—it enriches them, weaving emotion and history into every scene. Combined with subtle sound design, the score immerses viewers in a sonic landscape as corroded and haunting as the visual one.
Netflix has reportedly been working on Rust for several years, with a creative team that includes sci-fi veterans, award-winning animators, and even historians specializing in industrial decay. The film is based on an original concept but draws inspiration from Norse mythology, cyberpunk classics, and environmental cautionary tales. According to early production notes, it aims to explore themes of redemption, technological dependency, and the cyclical nature of collapse and rebirth.
What stands out most in the trailer is the sheer originality of the worldbuilding. The lore of Rust appears vast and meticulously crafted, from rust-cults that worship corroded machines, to “memory wells” where data ghosts whisper warnings of the past. This attention to detail suggests a rich narrative universe that could extend far beyond a single film. Fans are already speculating about possible sequels or spin-offs.
The casting of Travis Fimmel seems a perfect fit. Known for his intense performances in series like Vikings and films like Warcraft, Fimmel brings an edge of authenticity to the role of Reik. His gruff voice and emotive restraint allow the character to convey deep pain without resorting to melodrama. It’s a performance that feels earned and lived-in, even through the lens of animation.
Reactions to the trailer have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the film’s mature tone, original setting, and bold visual style. Critics have noted that Rust may represent a turning point in Western animated cinema, breaking away from the traditionally light-hearted or family-centric approach and embracing something darker, more philosophical. Netflix seems intent on expanding the boundaries of what animated films can achieve.
As the release date draws nearer, anticipation is building. Viewers are eager to see whether Rust can deliver on the emotional and visual promises made by its stunning trailer. If the final product lives up to expectations, Travis Fimmel may soon be remembered not just as a live-action warrior, but as the voice of one of the most unforgettable animated heroes in recent memory.
