Spotlight (2015) | Rotten Tomatoes

Spotlight

R

Released Nov 20, 2015

2h 8m

Drama

TRAILER

for Spotlight: Trailer 1

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Spotlight: B-Roll 2

5:22

Spotlight: B-Roll 1

6:04

Spotlight: Trailer 1

2:31

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97%

Tomatometer

383 Reviews

93%

Audience Score

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

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

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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

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

Bohdana L

Love this movie, it’s very well-written and acted and the story behind it…

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Unbelievable movie based on extremely unfortunate events! Journalism fought the good fight in this one to expose the truth.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Eye C

I'm a sucker for journalistic thrillers. I'm so passionate to see people talking about a subject for a newspaper. And in this the Spotlight team is so rewarding to watch. Love it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Ken C

Stunning movie to watch. Now, if only main street media would do honest reporting in regards to America's Industrial Complex.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

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: Official Clip - Nobody Can Get Away With This!

1:53

Spotlight: Official Clip - It Really Messed Me Up

2:59

Spotlight: Official Clip - He Was Nice At First

2:54

Spotlight: Official Clip - Off the Record, It's All Public

2:53

Spotlight: Official Clip - Survivor Story

2:50

Spotlight: Official Clip - Sensitive Records

2:30

Spotlight: Official Clip - Six Percent Of All Priests

2:46

Spotlight: Official Clip - Sure I Fooled Around

2:25

Spotlight: Official Clip - Spotlight Success

2:43

Spotlight: Official Clip - Everybody Already Knows

2:27

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Spotlight: B-Roll 2

5:22

Spotlight: B-Roll 1

6:04

Spotlight: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

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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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