Synopsis
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Spotlight (2015) is a 2h 9min drama feature film by Tom McCarthy. The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the loc... Selected for Los Angeles Film Awards (2025).
Key facts
Cast
Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d'Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Elena Wohl
Original language
English
First release
November 6, 2015 (United States)
Production companies
Anonymous Content, Participant
Awards
Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Academy Award for Best Picture, National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film
Setting
Boston
Filming locations
Toronto, Hamilton, Boston
Crew
Screenplay
Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy
Producer
Blye Pagon Faust, Michael Sugar, Nicole Rocklin, Steve Golin
Cinematography
Masanobu Takayanagi
Editing
Tom McArdle
Music
Howard Shore
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Panic Fest 2018 - Shorts
- Academy Awards 2016 academy_award ★ Won: Best Picture; Best Original Screenplay
- Golden Globes (USA) 2016 generic - Best Director ★ Nominee
- Independent Spirit Awards 2016 generic - Best Feature; Best Director; Best Screenplay: Tom McCarthy; Josh Singer; Best Editing: Tom McArdle; Robert Altman Award ★ Winner: Best Feature; Best Director; Best Screenplay: Tom McCarthy; Josh Singer; Best Editing: Tom McArdle; Robert Altman Award
- Directors Guild of America 2015 generic
- Indiewire Critics' Poll 2015 generic - Best Picture; Best Director ★ 3
- Telluride Film Festival 2015 generic - Main Program
- Toronto International Film Festival 2015 generic
- Venice Film Festival 2015 generic
Titles
| Original title | Spotlight | English |
| Québec French title | Spotlight : édition spéciale |
Soundtracks
| CD | Spotlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - James Sizemore, Howard Shore (2015) | 1 release, 2015: Howe Records |
| Cassette | Spotlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - James Sizemore, Howard Shore (2015) | 1 release, 2015: Howe Records |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | United States | November 6, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Canada | November 13, 2015 |
| Theatrical | United States | November 25, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | January 7, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Thailand | January 14, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | January 15, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Israel | January 21, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Singapore | January 21, 2016 |
| Theatrical | France | January 27, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Australia | January 28, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | January 28, 2016 |
| Theatrical | New Zealand | January 28, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | January 28, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Uruguay | January 28, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Spain | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Finland | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Iceland | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Turkey | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Belgium | February 3, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Peru | February 4, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Poland | February 5, 2016 |
| Theatrical | South Africa | February 5, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Philippines | February 10, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Argentina | February 11, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Chile | February 11, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Russia | February 11, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | February 12, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Indonesia | February 17, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Hong Kong | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Croatia | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Italy | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Slovenia | February 18, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Bulgaria | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Estonia | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | India | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Lithuania | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Taiwan | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Venezuela | February 19, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | February 24, 2016 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | February 24, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | February 25, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Germany | February 25, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | February 25, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Greece | February 25, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Ukraine | February 25, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Latvia | February 26, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Romania | February 26, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Serbia | March 3, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Macedonia | March 10, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Norway | March 11, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Czech Republic | April 7, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Slovakia | April 7, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Cambodia | April 8, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Japan | April 15, 2016 |
| Streaming | France | May 26, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | June 29, 2016 |
| Television | Israel | December 23, 2016 |
| Television | Netherlands | January 7, 2018 |
| Streaming | France | January 27, 2019 |
| Television | Italy | May 9, 2021 |
| Streaming | France | November 23, 2021 |
| Classification | Germany | 0 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video | United States | February 23, 2016 |
| Home video | Greece | May 2, 2016 |
| Home video | United Kingdom | May 23, 2016 |
| Home video | France | June 8, 2016 |
Full credits
| Director | Tom McCarthy |
| Cast | Mark Ruffalo (Michael Rezendes), Michael Keaton (Walter 'Robby' Robinson), Rachel McAdams (Sacha Pfeiffer), Liev Schreiber (Marty Baron), John Slattery (Ben Bradlee, Jr.), Brian d'Arcy James (Matt Carroll), Stanley Tucci (Mitchell Garabedian), Elena Wohl (Barbara), Gene Amoroso (Steve Kurkjian), Doug Murray (Peter Canellos), Sharon McFarlane (Helen Donovan), Jamey Sheridan (Jim Sullivan), Neal Huff (Phil Saviano), Billy Crudup (Eric Macleish), Robert B. Kennedy (Court Clerk Mark), Duane Murray (Hansi Kalkofen), Brian Chamberlain (Paul Burke), Michael Cyril Creighton (Joe Crowley), Paul Guilfoyle (Peter Conley), Michael Countryman (Richard Gilman), Tim Whalen (Young Cop), Martin Roach (Cop in Coffee Shop), Brad Borbridge (Sports Editor), Don Allison (Bishop), Patty Ross (Linda), Paloma Nuñez (Garabedian's Receptionist), Robert Clarke (Judge Volterra), Gary Galone (Jack Dunn), David Fraser (Jon Albano), Paulette Sinclair (Receptionist at Judge's Chambers), Laurie Heineman (Judge Sweeney), Elena Juatco (Guest List Woman), Nancy Villone (Maryetta Dussourd), Wendy Merry (Female Editor), Siobhan Murphy (Intern), Eileen Padua (Sacha's Grandmother), Darrin Baker (Middle Age Priest at St. Peter's), Brett Cramp (Middle Aged Man), Joe Stapleton (Older Cop), Maureen Keiller (Eileen McNamara), Jimmy LeBlanc (Patrick McSorley), Tim Progosh (Principal Bill Kemeza), Neion George (Waiter at Gala), Laurie Murdoch (Wilson Rogers), Zarrin Darnell-Martin (Intern Wanda), Krista Morin (Young Reporter), Paula Barrett (Jim's Wife), Mairtin O'Carrigan (Stewart), Rob deLeeuw (Herald Reporter Quimby), Nancy E. Carroll (Jane Paquin), Anthony Paolucci (Kevin), Michele Proude (Lisa Tuite), Richard O'Rourke (Ronald Paquin), Len Cariou (Cardinal Law), Dennis Lynch (Clerk O'Brian), Stefanie Drummond (Sheila), Mark McGrinder (Weeping Man), Richard Fitzpatrick (Rectory Priest), Tom Driscoll (Disgruntled Man), Jeffrey Samai (Library Security), Moira Driscoll (Woman Interviewee), Forrest Weber (Angry Man), Doreen Spencer (Older Southie Woman), Janet Pinnick (Receptionist), Shannon McDonough (Receptionist), Shannon Ruth (Girl at Garabedian's), Daniel Ruth (Boy at Garabedian's), Jennifer Ruth (Mother at Garabedian's), Timothy Mooney (Bad Priest), Bruce-Robert Serafin (Boston Globe Security Guard), Donna Sue Jahier (Angry Man's Sister), Edward Brickley (Red Sox Announcer (voice)), Richard Jenkins (Richard Sipe (voice) (uncredited)), Elena Khan (Boston Reporter (uncredited)), Teresa Wilson (Maureen (uncredited)), Amy Whalen (Pedestrian (uncredited)), John Franchi (Pedestrian (uncredited)), Peter Lewis Walsh (Red Sox Fan (uncredited)), Lance Norris (Driver (uncredited)), Harold Rudolph (Lawyer (uncredited)), Colleen Kelly (Librarian (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy |
| Producer | Blye Pagon Faust, Michael Sugar, Nicole Rocklin, Steve Golin |
| Executive producer | Bard Dorros, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Josh Singer, Michael Bederman, Peter Lawson, Pierre Omidyar, Tom Ortenberg, Xavier Marchand |
| Cinematography | Masanobu Takayanagi |
| Editing | Tom McArdle |
| Music | Howard Shore |
| Production design | Stephen H. Carter |
| Visual effects | Colin Davies, Mike Duffy |
| Sound | Paul Hsu |
| Costumes | Wendy Chuck |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
