Initially believing that they are following the story of one priest who was moved around several times, the Spotlight team begin to uncover a pattern of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests in Massachusetts, and an ongoing cover-up by the Boston Archdiocese.
Percaya bahwa mereka mengikuti kisah seorang pastur yang beberapa kali dipindahkan, tim Spotlight mulai membongkar pola pelecehan seksual terhadap anak-anak oleh pastur Katolik di Massachusetts, dan sebuah penutupan yang terus berlanjut oleh Keuskupan Agung Boston.