Name: Spotlight
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Duration: 128 min
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

Oscar · 2BAFTA · 1

Spoiler-free premise

A Boston newspaper investigation examines allegations of abuse and institutional concealment within the Catholic Church.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

In 2001, Boston Globe editor Marty Baron asks the Spotlight investigative team to examine allegations against priest John Geoghan and whether Cardinal Law knew. Reporters Walter Robinson, Mike Rezendes, Sacha Pfeiffer, and Matt Carroll widen the inquiry through survivors, lawyers, directories, and court records.

Why it belongs

Spotlight makes institutional reporting gripping through doors knocked, records checked, sources protected, and an ensemble committed to verification over display.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Newsroom desks, church directories, courthouse motions, survivor kitchens, phone calls, spreadsheets, and Howard Shore's restrained score frame corroboration as action—the ensemble keeps discovery collective and ethically patient.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards2 wins2016 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture2016 · Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Original Screenplay)2016 · Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthyofficial ceremony record ↗

BAFTA1 win2016 · official BAFTA 2016 Film Awards results ↗

Original Screenplay2016 · Tom McCarthy and Josh Singerofficial BAFTA 2016 Film Awards results ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Spotlight

Double Feature