Spotlight

Name: Spotlight
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Released: November 6, 2015
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 93
Cast: John Slattery, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

2015

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 45 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1006 Ratings

See All

8.2

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.2	Your Score
8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1006 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Spotlight

Now Playing: Spotlight

Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films (II) | Release Date: November 6, 2015 | R

Starring: John Slattery, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci

Summary: Spotlight tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-longSpotlight tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. [Open Road Films]… Expand

Director: Thomas McCarthy

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 128 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Mike Scott

Nov 25, 2015

With Spotlight, we get a reminder of the vital importance of an independent, professional press to any community. Read full review

100

Rene Rodriguez

Nov 12, 2015

Spotlight is simply a great story exceedingly well told, through characters whose fingers are perpetually stained with ink. Read full review

100

Time Out London Dave Calhoun

Sep 22, 2015

It’s a more subtle, damning film for implicating the media – as much as the church, the courts, the legal profession and other Boston institutions – in the systematic, wider cultural cover-up it describes. Read full review

100

Ann Hornaday

Nov 12, 2015

For all of its modesty and dedication to process, Spotlight winds up being a startlingly emotional experience, and not just for filmgoers with intimate knowledge of the culture it depicts. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Nov 5, 2015

Spotlight provides a wealth of exceptional performances. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Nov 14, 2015

Spotlight is a Valentine to investigative journalism and a stark reminder of where we’re headed now that this brand of writing has become an endangered species. The film is unique in that it focuses almost entirely on the process. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Sep 3, 2015

This material cant help but be interesting, even compelling up to a point, but its prosaic presentation suggests that the story's full potential, encompassing deep, disturbing and enduring pain on all sides of the issue, has only begun to be touched. Read full review

SEE ALL 45 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

vgates14

Dec 30, 2017

By far the best movie of it's year Spotlight's veteran and talented cast give us an amazing detailed look at one of the biggest church scandals. Gripping and moving for it's entire duration spotlight reminds of how an independent and fearless press now more then ever, is so important.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kuzdiyen

Feb 5, 2016

Spotlight was a truly important film. The subject matter this movie is about was one that needed guts to portray in a film and Tom McCarthy showed everyone that he had the guts and the cast to do the job. The story was told in a way that never got boring but also never lost its seriousness.Spotlight was a truly important film. The subject matter this movie is about was one that needed guts to portray in a film and Tom McCarthy showed everyone that he had the guts and the cast to do the job. The story was told in a way that never got boring but also never lost its seriousness. The movie also one of the few movies showed the journalists as the heroes they can be and really gave them the credit they deserve. The acting was perfect, with McAdams and Ruffalo possibly giving the best performances of their careers. There was just something so great about Spotlight and that's why I thought it was a perfect film that told a story that had to be told.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MarcDoyle

Nov 6, 2015

An incredible film that generates the same momentum and excitement that All the Presidents Men did. Michael Keaton has never been better, and Mark Ruffalo is outstanding as usual. I'll also mention the always terrific Stanley Tucci - he's brilliant here. It's an important story, and theAn incredible film that generates the same momentum and excitement that All the Presidents Men did. Michael Keaton has never been better, and Mark Ruffalo is outstanding as usual. I'll also mention the always terrific Stanley Tucci - he's brilliant here. It's an important story, and the filmmakers handle it with care. In a way, it restores your faith in what quality investigative journalism can produce. It's only November, but this is my movie of the year so far.… Expand

16 of 17 users found this helpful161

ZachScheller

Aug 14, 2016

Gripping and mesmerizing, Spotlight shines a bright light on one of the greatest cover ups of our day. The only bad part of this film is the subject matter; you wish it wasn't true.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bds92

Nov 21, 2015

When I first found out about this movie, I was probably reminded most of "Michael Clayton" or "A Few Good Men." Based on the strength of the actors, and the intense nature of the topic, I expected a thrill ride. Interestingly, you won't find that here. "Spotlight" is very subdued. ItWhen I first found out about this movie, I was probably reminded most of "Michael Clayton" or "A Few Good Men." Based on the strength of the actors, and the intense nature of the topic, I expected a thrill ride. Interestingly, you won't find that here. "Spotlight" is very subdued. It features a Mark Ruffalo performance on par with his work in Begin Again, proving just how versatile he is and how passionate he can be. Michael Keaton is tasteful, graceful, and maybe even a little boring, but in a good way; it's as if his acting career has been completely reinvented after Birdman. Besides those two things, this movie wasn't what I expected it to be. Upon exiting the theater, I remarked this exactly: "It feels like a great story about a great newspaper story about a terrible story." In other words, you might have felt much more suspense if you had read the Boston Globe article back in 2002. I assumed the point of this film was to tell the story that might have been drowned out by the attacks of 9/11, and I was right. With this, the underlying story feels more important than the film, but it is very well done and well acted. I would absolutely go to see it in the theater, but I would manage my expectations somewhat. If it's plot you're banking on, you'll be disappointed. However, if you love film for the aspects that make film great, you'll see a great film by choosing Spotlight.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

2016

Jun 30, 2016

Spotlight shows us the dark side of the priests, a great movie with arguments to be nominated to the prizes Oscars, but I think that it should not have gained the prize to the best movie

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieMan12

Dec 27, 2015

I was really looking forward to this movie especially since many of my favorite actors are in this movie. It turned out to be terrible. So boring. Just wait until it is on TV to see it if you want to.

4 of 51 users found this helpful447

SEE ALL 165 REVIEWS