“It’s always been just the two of you.”
Steven Spielberg is finally returning to his sci-fi roots as Disclosure Day gives audiences a strong, compact story that, while unable to reach the apex of his previous work, showcases exactly how a summer blockbuster is crafted. Returning to the style and aura of his late 70s and early 80s masterpieces, Spielberg captures the era's essence and tone, repackaging it as a captivating chase thriller that, while not perfect, reminds viewers of the excitement of theatrical viewing.
Set in the present day, Disclosure Day marks the convergence of two separate, though highly connected, stories. One centers on Emily Blunt’s Margaret Fairchild, an ambitious Kansas City meteorologist who can’t quite sit still, while the other focuses on Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a data security expert turned potential whistleblower. Though neither is aware of the other, their paths are destined to cross as Kellner works to reveal how a government-adjacent corporation, Wardex, has suppressed information about alien existence across the universe.
The film opens boldly as Kellner sits nervously watching a wrestling match. Initially shot from a fighter's POV, the camera eventually breaks to introduce us to one of our leading players. The large-scale metaphor of a violent world, both unrelenting and unpredictable, is not lost on the viewer. And the dramatic introduction to the story serves as a reminder that, while Spielberg is known for his ability to channel the heart and soul of his characters, the Saving Private Ryan and Jaws director is not a stranger to the exhilarating action shot. And there are plenty of those here to go around. Many of them are exceptional.
But the expensive, high-octane shots cannot overshadow the somber, murky writing, which consistently drags the narrative down. Even if viewers can get past the pesky, unrealistic chase segments, the film constantly feels as if it's in overdrive, maneuvering at a pace that forgoes details and relies solely on the big picture. Things happen on a whim, and we’re never privy to the development of the knowledge or the moment.
A prime example: an alien artifact, the size of a remote, that allows Scanlon (an often overreaching Colin Firth) to dive into the consciousness of characters, manipulating their minds for information and prompted action. The same gadget also allows others to share cognitive memories, become invisible (but not bypass a heat scan), and jumpstart jammed power grids. It is, without question, a narrative get-out-of-jail-free card that writer David Koepp employs without hesitation. And while it is, at times, interesting, it is hardly feasible. Especially within a film that is, without question, a bit forced and heavily inconceivable.
However, amid the chaos, there is still a ton to enjoy in Spielberg’s first film since 2022’s The Fabelmans. Aside from the brilliant (read: expensive) set pieces that keep the story visually engaging, both Blunt and O’Connor are in terrific form, capturing the body and soul of the story. Though neither of their characters fully understand the scope of their involvement in said story, their chemistry is strong as their lifelines become beautifully interlaced.
While this likely won’t be remembered as one of Spielberg’s strongest works, his fingerprints are all over it. Heartfelt and optimistic, Disclosure Day is a big-picture project that raises questions about our role in the universe. And while it is sure to spark discussions about the power of knowledge, it will also prompt us to question our conviction that we humans are truly alone in the vast universe.
