DISCLOSURE DAY
(director/writer: Steven Spielberg; screenwriters: David Koepp, story by Spielberg; cinematographer: Janusz Kaminski; editor: Sarah Broshar; music: John Williams; cast: Colin Firth (Noah Scanlon), Emily Blunt (Margaret Fairchild), David Auerbach (Rock Center News Producer), Colman Domingo (Hugo Wakefield), Josh O’Connor (Dr. Daniel Keliner), Wyatt Russell (Jackson), Eve Hewson (Jane Blankenship), Priyanka Kedia (Grace Zhao), Hettienne Park (Serena), Elizabeth Marvel (Sister Maura), Brandon Wilson (Nathan Twining), Tommy Martinez (Santiago), Henry Lloyd-Hughes (Casper Boyd, Wardex goon); Runtime: 145; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg; Universal; 2026)
“An epic sci-fi fantasy film.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
An epic sci-fi fantasy film, that’s all of the following: ridiculous, comical, suspenseful, meditative and filled with action. It’s superbly directed and written by Steven Spielberg (“Saving Private Ryan”/”Raiders of the Lost Ark”) as a personal film. It’s based on a story by Spielberg, whereby he turns again to the themes he addressed in the 1977 “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” He co-writes it with David Koepp. It features some enigmatic folks racing toward a shared identity to avoid some powerful forces.
The stylish, fun-loving and provocative high-concept conspiracy alien film is about humans making contact with visiting aliens and our inspired heroes trying to make that info public knowledge.
Daniel (Josh O’Connor) is a cyber-security expert at a top-secret cyber center in Virginia, called Wardex, who work for the Defense Department. Daniel wants the public to know the government has proof there are aliens on earth. He therefore hacks his way into the secret files of Wardex, that has the info on contact with aliens that the public doesn’t know exists. Wardex is run by the evil Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), a tyrannical Brit.
In retaliation, after Daniel quits and becomes a whistle-blower, Noah’s goon (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) snatches Daniel’s gf Jane Blankenship (Eve Hewson), a former novitiate nun, and holds her for ransom.
Meanwhile the TV weather girl in Kansas City, Missouri, Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), while on air, makes strange noises and starts speaking to aliens. Daniel sees her on TV and realizes what’s up, and they team-up. Her actions freak out her boyfriend Jackson (Wyatt Russell, the son of Goldie & Kurt).
We learn Daniel & Margaret suffer from a similar childhood trauma that they don’t want to remember.
The film has many chases, twists and jolts. It also delves into the possibility of a supreme being and questions the essence of humanity.
With the help of another Wardex defector, Hugo (Colman Domingo), Daniel fights back against Noah’s attacks.
What Spielberg wants us to know is that there’s no doubt that aliens are here and we are more of a threat to them than they are to us. Disclosure Day is about the day when the secrets about the aliens being here is revealed through the heroic efforts of those willing to challenge the government.
REVIEWED ON 6/25/2026 GRADE: A-
dennisschwartzreviews.com