“Spotlight”: this 2015 film tells the story of a journalist team, who, in 2001, gets assigned to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter “Robby” Robinson, reporters Michael Rezendes, 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. This movie will leave you on the edge of your seat and with a bitter taste in your mouth.
After watching this film, viewers may be wondering: Prior to watching this movie, would many people be aware of these issues going on in the church? The answer is a bit complicated. Yes and no. Throughout the last 20 years or so, you would always hear jokes about priests and little boys. It was common knowledge that members of the church took their power and used it to attack young children, but not to the extent that it actually was. People knew, but did not really know the real damage that was being caused to these children and the extent of how many children were being taken advantage of.
What can people learn from this film? A lot. This movie leaves a very sour taste in the mouths of people who are Catholic. Their beloved religion was tainted by men who have sick urges. People will learn the extent of the problem. Even the journalist team did not realize the extent of this issue until further investigation. They believed there to be about 15-20 priests who sexually abused children. The number ended up being around 250 priests, however, which is sickening to think about. This movie also sheds light on the trauma that is caused to the victims of sexual assault. The personal interviews that were conducted in this film can become very intense and leave you with a pit in your stomach, filled with anger.
