Disclosure Day — Review
Source: Universal Pictures
People are saying Disclosure Day is Steven Spielberg’s best movie in over 20 years, and I disagree. That’s mainly because I adored his previous film, The Fabelmans, which was in my top 10 of 2022. Still, after a career defined by science-fiction classics such as Jurassic Park (1993) and two of the most celebrated alien films ever made—Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)—Disclosure Day feels like a major return to form for the filmmaker.
Disclosure Day sees Spielberg reuniting with frequent collaborators: screenwriter David Koepp, cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, composer John Williams, and editor Sarah Broshar. The result is a film that feels like a culmination of the themes, techniques, and sense of wonder that have defined Spielberg’s work for decades. It will likely provoke some divisive reactions and surely won’t be as much of a crowd-pleaser as the other alien blockbuster released this year, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s Project Hail Mary. However, Disclosure Day is my favorite alien film since Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016).
Source: Universal Pictures
The film follows Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor), a cybersecurity expert and whistleblower on the run with his girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson), after uncovering a vast government conspiracy. Pursuing him is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), the ruthless head of the Wardex Corporation, while Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo), a Wardex defector, attempts to aid Daniel's escape. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) begins exhibiting increasingly strange behavior, alarming her boyfriend, Jackson (Wyatt Russell). These seemingly disparate storylines converge when Margaret, during a live weather broadcast, begins speaking in an inexplicable language that only Daniel can understand.
Source: Universal Pictures
Koepp’s screenplay is suspenseful and action-driven, emerging as a cat-and-mouse game between Daniel and Noah. Yet, beneath its conspiracy-thriller framework lies a surprisingly poignant and profound meditation on humanity’s relationship with the unknown. Much like Arrival, this is an alien film that is ultimately about communication, understanding, and empathy. Disclosure Day grabbed me from the very first scene, and I was enthralled from start to finish. That said, the narrative takes a while to fully kick into gear as it methodically introduces its large ensemble of characters, and some viewers may grow impatient with the deliberate pacing of the first half. Nonetheless, the payoff is more than worth the wait.
Source: Universal Pictures
Not only are the characters fully fleshed out, but the performances really bring them to life in a way that ensures I was thoroughly invested. Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor make for compelling leads, with Blunt delivering the best performance of her career so far. Margaret's increasingly unusual abilities could have come across as cartoonish in the hands of a lesser actress, but Blunt imbues the character with so much warmth and sincerity that every development feels emotionally honest. She made me laugh at the right moments and moved me when the story demanded it, effortlessly navigating the film's shifts in tone. There's one scene in particular where Margaret suffers a panic attack, and Blunt conveys the character's anxiety with such conviction that I felt as though I was hyperventilating right alongside her.
Source: Universal Pictures
Colin Firth is a menacing antagonist, while Colman Domingo excels as the film’s voice of reason. Eve Hewson also delivers a complex, nuanced performance. However, among the supporting cast, Courtney Grace is the standout. Though she appears in only one scene, it proves to be the film’s most emotionally stirring moment, thanks to her mesmerizing and moving delivery.
Janusz Kamiński’s cinematography is striking, with particularly impressive shot compositions centered on eyes. John Williams’ score is magnificent—sometimes suspenseful, sometimes wistful, sometimes emotional, but always powerful. Sarah Broshar’s editing shifts effortlessly between storylines, keeping the narrative consistently engaging. There are moments where I thought the visual effects looked off, especially in the depiction of animals such as deer and birds, but the film ultimately provides a context that retroactively justifies those design choices. Spielberg’s strong direction ensures all the pieces come together effectively, creating a sense of cinematic wonder. For 2 hours and 26 minutes, I was completely immersed in its world, a reminder of the power of cinema to make the impossible feel real.
Source: Universal Pictures
Disclosure Day reaffirms that Spielberg’s strengths have not diminished over time. Like his best science fiction films, he once again balances spectacle and sincerity with astounding confidence and remarkable precision. The best alien films use extraterrestrial life as a vehicle for reflecting on humanity, and in that regard, the film succeeds. It may not work for everyone, but I was blown away by it. Disclosure Day is both a riveting conspiracy thriller and a moving meditation on understanding and empathy. It is a potent reminder that even at this stage of his career, Spielberg is still capable of delivering films that genuinely move, astonish, and fill audiences with wonder.
Disclosure Day arrives in theaters on June 12, 2026.
