Director
Tom McCarthy
Leading Actors/Actresses
Mark Ruffalo,Michael Keateon
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, Rachel McAdams
Genre
Biographical Drama
Language
English
Awards
Independent Spirit Award, Best Ensemble Cast
Date of Release
September 3, 2015
Producer
Blye Pagon Faust, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Michael Suger
Setting and Context
Boston, 1976, and Boston 2001
Narrator and Point of View
The point of view is that of the Spotlight team of detectives investigating the child molestation charges against the Cardinal
Tone and Mood
Conspiratorial, sickening, suspenseful
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonists are the Spotlight team, the antagonist is Cardinal Law
Major Conflict
There is conflict between the members of Spotlight when Michael Rezendes reveals that he is part of the team when he is explicitly told not to do so.
Climax
Cardinal Law resigns in 2002, after providing a list of pedophile priests around the globe.
Foreshadowing
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 foreshadow the need for the team to take a step back from the investigation and the revelations of what they have found out.
Understatement
Robinson says he is aware that his failure to follow up on the list of pedophile priests he was given in 1993 has caused harm, which is an understatement because these priests were able to continue to abuse other children.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
N/A
Allusions
The movie alludes to the real life cases of pedophile priests in Boston during that time.
Paradox
People believe priests to be celbate when in fact over half are involved in relationships.
Parallelism
N/A
