Spotlight

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2:31

Spotlight

R

Released Nov 20, 2015

2h 8m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

379 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

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Critics Consensus

Spotlight gracefully handles the lurid details of its fact-based story while resisting the temptation to lionize its heroes, resulting in a drama that honors the audience as well as its real-life subjects.

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Zach Schonfeld

Newsweek

Spotlight manages the seemingly impossible task of wooing journalists with authenticity while still elevating reporters to hero status, as they battle a formidable and corrupt institution with righteous determination.

Feb 28, 2018

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Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

Ruffalo gets top billing in the movie, and he brings some wonderfully lived-in behavioral details to his performance -- the quick, terrier-like movements of the head and the bitten-off sentences.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 26, 2017

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Spotlight giving center stage to unsung warriors for truth who understood telling the story right, without embellishment, without melodramatic editorial excess, was the greatest victory of them all.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 22, 2016

Full Review

Pradeep Menon

Firstpost

Spotlight is a must-watch for people in the media, as well as people who consume the media, because it reaffirms a belief in the ideals of journalism.

Nov 1, 2023

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

It’s not just that it is a profound story, but one that is executed to perfection that draws out such emotion.

Jun 14, 2023

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Jennifer Bisset

CNET

[It] wound gripping tension into the unglamorous legwork of journalists, played by a perfectly-balanced ensemble including Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams.

Apr 20, 2023

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Steven M.

Well-written and acted film! Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams, especially, live up to expectations.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/15/21

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Garrett B

Great performances though the pacing was slow and its premise was not my thing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

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Sue S

On of my top films ever. Great cast who brilliantly handle a sensitive subject and bring it to the fore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

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Dani G

Very harsh reality... and about the film? Good script, good acting, good development

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

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David R

IMPORTANT story but terribly boring.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

Rob A

The Boston Globe, led by their new Editor-in-Chief (Schreiber) investigate alegations of sexual abuse of children by local priests. Ace reporters Keaton, McAdams and Ruffalo are stonewalled at nearly every turn until victims attorney Stanley Tucci reluctantly begins to leave a trail of breadcrumbs. Did Cardinal Law know and turn a blind eye?? The film was first rate in nearly every way and won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

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Tom McCarthy

Director

Mark Ruffalo

Michael Rezendes

Michael Keaton

Walter "Robby" Robinson

Rachel McAdams

Sacha Pfeiffer

Liev Schreiber

Marty Baron

John Slattery

Ben Bradlee Jr.

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Spotlight: B-Roll 2

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Spotlight: B-Roll 1

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Spotlight: Trailer 1

2:31

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Synopsis

In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

Director: Tom McCarthy
Producer: Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Blye Pagon Faust
Screenwriter: Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: Anonymous Content, Rocklin/Faust
Rating: R (Some Language|Sexual References)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 2, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.0M
Runtime: 2h 8m

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