Dir: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes
Emily Blunt shines in Spielberg’s latest science fiction spectacle. Yet, for all its grand ideas, the film stumbles, lacking a clear narrative thread, sprawling into an overstuffed, meandering journey that disappointingly often slips into tedium
Whenever Steven Spielberg releases a new film, it feels like a true cinematic event. The legendary director practically invented the summer blockbuster with “Jaws” half a century ago, sending audiences everywhere scrambling from the ocean. For decades, Spielberg ruled the summer box office, gifting us unforgettable popcorn adventures like “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), “Jurassic Park” (1993), and the “Indiana Jones” franchise—each one a masterclass in summertime movie magic.
In his latter years, Spielberg has traded summer spectacle for sweeping historical dramas and nostalgic flicks, ranging from “War Horse” (2011) to “West Side Story” (2021). He revealed a more intimate side with the heartfelt, semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans” in 2022, his last theatrical outing until now. After a four-year directorial hiatus, Spielberg returns, undeterred by his upcoming 80th birthday, with his first wholly original story since “E.T.”—a fitting echo, as “Disclosure Day” also explores humanity’s encounters with visitors from beyond.
“Disclosure Day” sprang from Spielberg’s imagination in 2023, sparked by the 2017 New York Times article “Glowing Auras and Black Money: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program” that reignited his fascination with aliens. Extra-terrestrials have been ever-present in Spielberg’s legendary filmography, even making a surprise appearance in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008). After drafting the story three years ago, Spielberg passed the baton to screenwriter and trusted collaborator David Koepp, marking their fifth creative venture together since “Jurassic Park”.
Set in the present day, the film thrusts the world to the edge of World War III as tensions simmer between the U.S., Russia, and North Korea. We are immediately introduced to Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity specialist who, in a daring move, steals alien technology and confidential files he was meant to safeguard from the public. The shadowy government agency Wardex, charged with erasing all traces of alien encounters, brands Daniel a foreign spy, sending him and his girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson), into a desperate flight for survival.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, television meteorologist Margaret (Emily Blunt) experiences a strange encounter when a cardinal flies into her apartment, seemingly unlocking hidden psychic abilities. During a live weather broadcast, she suddenly speaks in an unknown language, and the viral footage quickly catches the eye of Wardex and its CEO, Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). Now on the run herself, Margaret embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery of her newfound powers, all while dodging relentless government agents determined to keep their 79-year secret buried.
I will always champion original stories at the cinema, especially when they spring from the mind of a master like Spielberg. Yet “Disclosure Day” stumbles as it tries to juggle too many ideas at once. At its core lies a fascinating premise: the unmasking of government secrets and the world’s reaction to the truth. For decades, aliens in film have either invaded Earth or revealed themselves in grand fashion, but the notion of a “Disclosure Day”—unveiling 79 years of deception and the ostracism of witnesses—is truly compelling. The film shines brightest when it grapples with the moral fallout of Daniel’s choices. With the world already teetering, would revealing an intergalactic visitor calm or inflame global tensions, even shaking the foundations of faith? These are the questions great science fiction should ask, and “Disclosure Day” does so in moments, especially in its gripping final act.
What undermines this intriguing concept is its entanglement with a convoluted action-thriller plot. The addition of alien technology bestowing psychic and telekinetic powers feels like an unnecessary complication, muddying the film’s more thought-provoking elements. It seems Spielberg and Koepp tried to transform a potentially philosophical sci-fi drama into a standard action-packed blockbuster, but the result is a film that satisfies neither camp. There is too little action for thrill-seekers and too many distractions for those craving a deeper cinematic conversation.
The film’s struggle with competing narratives is mirrored in its two leads, who seem at odds. The story begins with Josh O’Connor’s tech-savvy Daniel, then abruptly pivots to Emily Blunt’s Margaret, nearly erasing Daniel’s development and leaving me disengaged from both. This is no fault of the actors—Blunt, especially, moves effortlessly from cheerful TV host to bewildered fugitive, sometimes within a single scene. She brings humour, heart, and believability to her role, though I question whether her character is truly necessary.
I find myself curious about Spielberg’s original vision before Koepp reportedly penned forty-two drafts for the film. My relationship with Koepp’s work is complicated; just in the past year, he’s delivered gems like “Black Bag” and “Presence”, but also some absolute drivel like “Jurassic World Rebirth”.
Putting story issues aside, the film is technically flawless, as one would expect from Spielberg. It’s a thrill to see his signature sci-fi visuals return—lens flares included—infused with that unique sense of wonder only he can conjure. The film’s warmth is further elevated by John Williams’ magnificent score, proving the legendary composer can still deliver cinematic magic at 94.
This film both looks and sounds unmistakably like a Spielberg creation, and when it clicks, it does so thanks to his enduring passion and craftsmanship. His fascination with extra-terrestrial life is palpable, and buried within “Disclosure Day” is a sharp, thought-provoking drama. Sadly, its focus is diluted by unnecessary action and familiar sci-fi clichés. Trim the excess subplots and side characters, and we might have witnessed one of Spielberg’s finest.
Disclosure Day is now showing in UK Cinemas
Dan Loves Film 
Leave a comment