6 - Spotlight

This week on Drawn to Darkness, we take on a film that’s less ghost story, more gut punch: the 2015 Oscar-winning film Spotlight, based on the Boston Globe investigation that exposed widespread child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church—and the systems that kept it hidden.

We talk about the horror that doesn’t wear a mask or carry a chainsaw, but instead wears vestments and smiles from the pulpit. This is a conversation about truth, trauma, intergenerational trauma, and the power—and limits—of journalism. Don’t expect jump scares, but do expect chills, and a personal bombshell about a childhood priest. We talk newsroom nostalgia, Boston accents, Mark Ruffalo’s hair, and how Stanley Tucci always, always understands the assignment. This one’s heavy. But it’s important. 

Spoiler and Trigger Warning:
In addition to spoilers, this episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse and grooming, the Catholic Church's systemic cover-ups, PTSD and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Palate Cleanser:
TikTok accounts that get New England right:

• @ian.brownhill (New England state stereotypes)
• @grewupinnewengland (Boston-accent movie reviews)
• Seth Meyers’ Boston Accent parody trailer – because someone’s gotta make fun of the vowels: https://youtu.be/rLwbzGyC6t4?si=g4WdjM34NuyemEaw
• Newsies – journalistic underdogs and Bill Pullman singing? Five stars.
• Mean Girls – for some Rachel McAdams joy. 

Recommendations:

If you want to go deeper (and darker):

• Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church – detailed, intense, devastating
•  Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s – intergenerational trauma and justice in Canada’s residential schools
• Casefile Ep. 34 – "The Catholic Mafia" in Australia’s rural Victoria
• The Keepers – Netflix docuseries about Sister Cathy and institutional silence
•  Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow – powerful journalism vs. the real monsters amongst us
•  Zodiac, Primal Fear, and Mystic River – all about corruption, silence, and long shadows
• The Wire Season 5 – newsroom decline, moral lines, and Tom McCarthy as a dishonest reporter
• Scream – to remember where Liev Schreiber’s spooky streak began

Homework Assignment:
Next episode, we’ll be watching Midnight Mass, the haunting Netflix series by Mike Flanagan. It’s got everything: Catholic guilt, creepy islands, mysterious priests, and slow-burn horror. Seven episodes. Bring wine. (But maybe not communion wine.)

Bonus heads-up: In about six weeks, we’ll be reading Stephen King’s Carrie. Yes, that Carrie. Start placing your library holds now, folks.

Thanks for listening. Subscribe, leave us a review, and send us your feedback stories at drawntodarknesspod@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Nancy Azano for providing our cover art. You can find her on Instagram @nancyazano. 

And Harry Kidd for composing and recording our opening score. His Instagram is @harryjkidd and you can also find him on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/43BiFkkOHykD8n9g4z0Qd7