National Society of Film Critics Names 'Spotlight' Best Picture

‘Spotlight’ (Courtesy of Kerry Hayes/Open Road Films)

By Gregg Kilday

The National Society of Film Critics, the last major critics’ groups to weigh in on 2015’s films, named Spotlight best picture at its annual meeting today. The group also awarded top screenplay honors to that movie’s Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy.

It also hailed Michael B. Jordan as the year’s best actor for playing the title role in Creed and Charlotte Rampling best actress for her performance as a long-married wife in 45 Years.

Mark Rylance was named best supporting actor for Bridge of Spies and Kristen Stewart best supporting actress for Clouds of Sils Maria.

Best director honors were awarded to Todd Haynes for his period romance Carol.

Fifty-three active members of the society took part in the organization’s 50th annual voting meeting, held at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City.

The complete list of winners:

Best picture: Spotlight

Best actor: Michael B. Jordan, Creed

Best actress: Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Best supporting actor: Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Best supporting actress: Kristen Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria

Best director: Todd Haynes, Carol

Best screenplay: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Best cinematography: Ed Lachman, Carol

Best foreign-language film: Timbuktu

Best non-fiction film: Amy

Film Heritage: Film Society of Lincoln Center/Jake Perlin, Michelle Materre, Tell It Like It Is: Black Indepedents in New York, 1968-1986

Film Heritage: Criterion Collection/LiImmagine Ritrovate for the restoration and packaging of The Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray

Film Heritage: Association Chaplin for supervising the digital restoration of Charlie Chaplin’s Essanay Films

Special Citation for a Film Awaiting American Distribution: Radu Muntean’s One Floor Below