When Does "Spotlight" (2015) Take Place?
"Spotlight" is a historical fiction film written by Josh Singer with Tom McCarthy and released November 6th, 2015.
It takes place in the years:
We know this because, after the prologue, as the main action begins, there's a time and place setting title card bringing us to The "Boston Globe Offices -- July, 2001". Partway though, the entire narrative is interrupted by the famous and tragic September 11th terrorist attacks, which occurred in the real world on September 11th, 2001 AD. Finally, the Spotlight team concludes their initial investigation and publishes an article. This happened in the real world on January 6th, 2002 AD.
2001 AD - 2002 AD
We know this because, after the prologue, as the main action begins, there's a time and place setting title card bringing us to The "Boston Globe Offices -- July, 2001". Partway though, the entire narrative is interrupted by the famous and tragic September 11th terrorist attacks, which occurred in the real world on September 11th, 2001 AD. Finally, the Spotlight team concludes their initial investigation and publishes an article. This happened in the real world on January 6th, 2002 AD.
Additionally, the movie opens with a prologue clearly labeled with a time and place setting title card telling the audience it is "Boston, MA -- 1976". It features the real-world rapist and Catholic priest Father John Geoghan, Boston Assistant District Attorney Paul Burke, and two unnamed Boston Police Department officers (one younger and one older). This 1976 AD date is roughly confirmed later in the story by ? .
