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Rachel McAdams, Sacha Pfeiffer discuss journalism exposé film 'Spotlight'

Rachel McAdams, who plays Sacha Pfeiffer, joined her real-inspiration on TODAY Wednesday morning to talk about the movie.
/ Source: TODAY

The film "Spotlight" highlights the true story of the Pulitzer-Prize winning Boston Globe investigation that exposed the sexual abuse of children by local Catholic priests and massive cover up by the Boston Archdiocese. And while the film has only been in theaters for a week, there's already plenty of Oscar buzz about the film and its stars.

Rachel McAdams, who plays Boston Globe reporter Sacha Pfeiffer, joined her real-inspiration on TODAY Wednesday morning to talk about the movie.

"I feel privileged to be part of that ensemble, and to get to tell the story of this [Spotlight] ensemble — of the real reporters," the actress told Savannah Guthrie.

Producers were clearly impressed with that ensemble effort, as they've submitted the names of McAdams and all of her lead co-stars — including Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery and more — for awards season.

But the fact that the film was so well made isn't the big surprise to Pfeiffer. As she revealed on TODAY, the real shock was that it was made at all. After all, investigative reporting isn't exactly a Hollywood pursuit.

Rachel McAdams and Sacha Pfeiffer discuss the upcoming true film 'Spotlight
TODAY Show: Rachel McAdams and Sacha Pfeiffer speak with Savannah Guthrie about the upcoming true film 'Spotlight' -- December 1, 2015 (post taped for December 2)Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

"It's looking through documents, typing on your computer and talking on the phone," she explained. "We thought they could never make an interesting movie of our daily lives."

But McAdams was up for the challenge.

"The pressure [is to] to get someone's story right and to be as authentic as possible, and as honest as possible, especially when it's based on the truth," the star said.

Rachel McAdams and Sacha Pfeiffer discuss the upcoming true film 'Spotlight
TODAY Show: Rachel McAdams and Sacha Pfeiffer speak with Savannah Guthrie about the upcoming true film 'Spotlight' -- December 1, 2015 (post taped for December 2)Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

And especially when the story is as important as this one, even so many years later.

"It's important to keep the [Catholic] Church vigilant," Pfeiffer said. "I think it's important for people to be reminded to always ask questions, even of authoritative institutions. That keeps them honest that way."

"Spotlight" is in theaters now.

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