15 Incredible Films Based On Real-Life Tragedies

Based On: The Boston Globe's investigation of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Boston.

Spotlight is a kind of film that's extremely hard to pull off. It's a film based entirely around dialogue and exposition that takes a very low-key approach, meaning it could easily have been very dull.

In spite of all this, Spotlight is utterly superb, and these potential shortcomings are instead its greatest strengths. Riding on a brilliant script performed by a great cast, Spotlight is a wonderful piece of writing and its ultra-realistic, grounded approach ensures the film never feels exploitative or preachy. It also mercifully avoids the trap of becoming anti-Christian propaganda.

Despite its subtlety, it is a completely horrifying film and makes for an extremely distressing viewing, even though no abuse is ever actually seen. Perhaps it isn't the most cinematic of films, but the way in which it re-constructs reality and refuses to sensationalize events is truly impressive. This is another film on this list that was a Best Picture nominee and in this case it won the big prize in a pleasantly surprising and highly deserved victory.