Film Review: Disclosure Day

Are humans alone on Earth? And if we are not, how would that discovery (and its disclosure) impact society?

That is essentially the question that Spielberg explores in Disclosure Day, his latest venture into the sci-fi film genre.

As someone who loves a good conspiracy theory (probably a little too much), this was easily my most anticipated film of the summer.

I’ve spent far too many hours falling down internet rabbit holes and reading about mysterious sightings and classified programmes, secretly hoping someone, somewhere, would finally reveal the truth.

Spielberg is clearly equally fascinated, and aliens have been the subject of numerous his previous blockbusters.

It’s been a long time since he’s visited this topic, but after reading the declassified Pentagon reports published by the New York Times in 2017 about a secret UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) (perhaps better known as a UFO), the legendary director was once again inspired to return to the alien genre.

When speaking about Disclosure Day at SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026, he said “I don’t know any more than any of you do, but I have a very strong suspicion that we are not alone here on Earth right now — and I made a movie about that.”

Needless to say, I was hoping Disclosure Day would satisfy my appetite for conspiracy-fuelled science fiction. Thankfully, it delivered.

Now let’s get into the details.

In the interests of full ~ disclosure, I was very fortunate to be invited to the multimedia preview screening of Disclosure Day by Universal Pictures UK. However, all opinions are my own.

The plot

The story begins when Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a weather presenter in Kansas City, suddenly starts speaking fluent Russian over breakfast. Then Korean. And when she arrives at work, things become stranger still as she breaks into a series of clicks and sounds. Live on television.

Meanwhile, Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a former government insider turned whistleblower, is determined to reveal the truth about extraterrestrial life. Standing in his way is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), the head of the agency that has spent decades keeping that truth hidden.

There’s a lot more to this movie than the trailer suggests, so I won’t go into more detail than that as I think the surprise is part of the experience.

Disclosure Day isn’t concerned with whether alien life exists. In Spielberg’s world, that question has already been answered. There’s irrefutable evidence that the US government has been covering up this discovery for decades.

Fair warning: some of this footage makes for surprisingly uncomfortable watching.

Instead, the film asks whether humanity is ready to know.

And everyone has a different view.

What makes the film so compelling is that nobody sees themselves as the villain. Every character genuinely believes they are acting in humanity’s best interests. As a result, the film becomes less about goodies and baddies and more about exploring different worldviews.

One of the most interesting perspectives comes from Daniel’s girlfriend Jane Blankenship (Eve Hewson), a former nun who wrestles with what the discovery of extraterrestrial life might mean for faith and people who believe in a higher power. The questions raised throughout the film are fascinating, and by the end, I found myself understanding and sympathising with almost everyone involved.

That emotional depth is one of Spielberg’s greatest strengths. As the mystery unfolds, Margaret and Daniel are both forced to confront painful parts of their past, giving the film a surprising amount of heart.

That said, the film is certainly not lacking drama or spectacle. I found myself on the edge of my seat, squirming, jumping and even audibly gasping at one point. There are car chases, a spectacular train sequence (that astonishingly uses no CGI), and several moments that are ridiculously over-the-top.

You will have to embrace the absurdity to enjoy the ride.

However, if you like your stories tied up neatly in a bow, this certainly isn’t that.

I came out of the film with a million and one questions, and my friend and I spent the entire journey to the station discussing theories and debating what it all meant.

The best science fiction leaves you questioning reality, and Disclosure Day certainly does that.

Still, my one criticism of the film is that there were perhaps a few too many loose ends for my liking. Unfortunately, the script itself is definitely the film’s weak point, and it’s what is going to divide viewers.

The acting

Disclosure Day features a stellar ensemble with heavyweights like Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Josh O’Connor and Eve Hewson leading the story.

But this is undoubtedly Emily Blunt’s film. Margaret’s world is thrown into chaos after one seemingly ordinary morning, and Blunt captures every stage of that upheaval brilliantly. She’s funny, vulnerable and deeply troubled in equal measure. I’d honestly go so far as to say this is one of the best performances of her career.

Eve Hewson is equally impressive as Jane Blankenship, the former nun grappling with questions of faith while resisting attempts by the government to manipulate her. But the whole cast is fab and works wonderfully with each other.

The score

Disclosure Day’s score was composed by none other than the legendary John Williams, marking his thirtieth (!) collaboration with Spielberg.

After composing the music for everything from Star Wars and Jaws to Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, it’s safe to say the man knows how to elevate a blockbuster.

Unsurprisingly, he smashes the soundtrack here too. John Williams never misses.

The score shifts effortlessly between eerie, suspenseful moments and the emotional beats that have long been a hallmark of Spielberg’s films. In particular, the final scenes are given an extra layer of poignancy thanks to Williams’ music.

Williams is now in his nineties, but in Disclosure Day, he proves still one of the industry’s best composers.

***

Disclosure Day is another classic from Spielberg and equal parts thrilling, emotional, and thought-provoking. Bolstered by a superb cast, a fantastic score from John Williams, and some genuinely fascinating questions about humanity’s place in the universe, this is a film that I have stopped thinking about since I saw it.

Sure, I wish a few more of its mysteries had been resolved by the end, but if the mark of a great sci-fi movie is leaving audiences debating what they’ve just seen, Disclosure Day succeeds spectacularly.

I can see this one dividing viewers, however, so I suggest going in without too much prior knowledge and simply enjoying the (bumpy) ride.

Disclosure Day is released in UK cinemas on 10 June 2026

(p.s. seeing it in IMAX is a must!)

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