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Maria Schrader's "She Said" is a sturdy journalism drama about the New York Times investigative reporters who broke the story of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's many allegations of sexual misconduct. Their work has undeniably proven to be some of the most important reporting in modern times, and it laid the foundation for the #MeToo movement and the seismic shift in Hollywood, which would reverberate throughout the world.

"She Said" is set in 2016 New York City, where Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) is writing an article about the sexual misconduct allegation against then-candidate Donald Trump. As the infamous line now goes, her work is dismissed as "fake news" and there's no story to be had about mere "locker room talk," which was the defense the former president gave about the Access Hollywood tape. Once Trump wins the election, the story of his alleged misconduct is set aside in favor of loud whispers about actresses in Hollywood who have accused a famous producer of rape, harassment, and unwanted advances.

Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) is beginning to contact sources regarding Weinstein and it becomes clear there is a much bigger story to tell. There aren't just a few indiscretions out there, but a pattern of horrific abuse dating back to the 1990s, when Weinstein would use film festivals as his predatory stomping grounds. When Megan returns from maternity leave, her editor Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson) suggests she works with Jodi on the story.

The movie's intention is to spotlight Twohey and Kantor's relentless dedication to exposing the truth about systemic abuse in Hollywood, but it also plays like a good old-fashioned journalism movie. "She Said" is pitched in the key of "Spotlight," which has become the gold standard of journalism movies. We watch Twohey and Kantor go through the rigorous process of pounding the pavement and knocking on doors to speak to people who worked for Weinstein when he ran Miramax. The mention of his name brings immediate tears to the eyes of women who are scared for relive the trauma they carry, but desperate for the truth to come out.

Mulligan and Kazan are good at bringing juxtaposed reporting styles to their characterizations of Twohey and Kantor. Twohey is ready to kick doors in and push people into a corner in order to shape the story she needs, while Kantor spends quieter nights over dinner trying to corroborate what she has learned about Weinstein's behavior. Like most journalism movies, "She Said" boasts a strong supporting cast, including Andre Braugher as Dean Baquet, an editor at the Times, and Jennifer Ehle and Samantha Morton have two small but pivotal roles as ex-employees of Weinstein.

There's a tricky balance in bringing a movie like "She Said" to the screen. While the heart of the story is well-documented in real life, Weinstein's legal battles are still playing out (though, he is thankfully serving a 23-year prison term). There's always a rush in Hollywood to be first, but being first doesn't always give time for perspective. Weinstein's monstrous behavior broke the dam, but has the system been reformed? Starting to dramatize events can make it feel like there's an ending, but is there?

The screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz feels uneven at times, mostly giving the characters moments to say things or name people without showing them. It makes "She Said" feel like a checklist at times, which doesn't always provide the strongest dramatic heft, especially when telling such a monumental story. Still, "She Said" is thrilling when it's about the pursuit of truth and seeking justice for the violence and trauma endured and the livelihoods lost.