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Spotlight

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for Spotlight R Released Nov 20, 2015 2h 8m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Spotlight

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Nick R A slow burn, but very important movie for everyone to see. The acting is incredible and the story is well done with respect to the real life events. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Fabrícia F Um drama que retrata com muita sensibilidade o envolvimento da Igreja Católica no acobertamento de crimes de pedofilia praticados por padres e autoridades do clero contra crianças e adolescentes durante décadas. Comovente, aterrador, assustador. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Scott C A story which absolutely needs to be told & even more importantly, listened to. For the sake of everyone who was dismissed and tortured by these events then and now, it's the least we can do. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Thomas S So inspiring... The power of journalism at its best. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Lars N Great showcase of the slow, hard grind of the few people left seeking out the truth Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Spotlight

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Cast & Crew

Spotlight

Spotlight: Official Clip - Nobody Can Get Away With This! Spotlight: Official Clip - Nobody Can Get Away With This! 1:53 Spotlight: Official Clip - It Really Messed Me Up Spotlight: Official Clip - It Really Messed Me Up 2:59 Spotlight: Official Clip - He Was Nice At First Spotlight: Official Clip - He Was Nice At First 2:54 Spotlight: Official Clip - Off the Record, It's All Public Spotlight: Official Clip - Off the Record, It's All Public 2:53 Spotlight: Official Clip - Survivor Story Spotlight: Official Clip - Survivor Story 2:50 Spotlight: Official Clip - Sensitive Records Spotlight: Official Clip - Sensitive Records 2:30 Spotlight: Official Clip - Six Percent Of All Priests Spotlight: Official Clip - Six Percent Of All Priests 2:46 Spotlight: Official Clip - Sure I Fooled Around Spotlight: Official Clip - Sure I Fooled Around 2:25 Spotlight: Official Clip - Spotlight Success Spotlight: Official Clip - Spotlight Success 2:43 Spotlight: Official Clip - Everybody Already Knows Spotlight: Official Clip - Everybody Already Knows 2:27 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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