ReviewSpielberg returns to familiar territory with ‘Disclosure Day’

Emily Blunt in a scene from Steven Spielberg’s latest movie “Disclosure Day” / Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Master of science fiction Steven Spielberg returns to the world of extraterrestrials with “Disclosure Day,” his fourth film centered on alien encounters.

Nearly five decades after “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) and more than 20 years after “War of the Worlds” (2005), the veteran filmmaker attempts to combine the sense of wonder that defined his earlier works with the tension of a modern political thriller.

The story expands on themes explored in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and “War of the Worlds.” Unlike those films, however, “Disclosure Day” focuses less on the aliens themselves and more on humanity’s response to them.

At the center of the story is Wardex, a secretive military organization that has hidden evidence of extraterrestrial life for decades while conducting controversial experiments on alien visitors.

The plot begins when Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) decides to leak classified information about the coverup. A cybersecurity expert working inside Wardex, he risks everything to expose the truth.

His path soon crosses with Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a television weathercaster from Kansas City whose life changes after an encounter with an alien entity.

Following the incident, Margaret gains unusual abilities. She can suddenly speak every language and dialect fluently — even communicating in Korean with a Korean American professor during a news broadcast about nuclear provocations from North Korea. Furthermore, she develops an ability to read the minds of anyone she meets. For South Korean audiences, seeing Blunt deliver lines in fluent Korean will undoubtedly draw attention among South Korean audiences.

Colin Firth in a scene from “Disclosure Day” / Courtesy of Universal Pictures

As Wardex and its leader Noah (Colin Firth) pursue the pair across the country, the movie turns into a tense chase thriller. Much of the movie’s appeal comes from watching Daniel and Margaret evolve from ordinary individuals into people willing to risk their lives for the truth.

Spielberg effectively builds suspense as the characters uncover a larger conspiracy linked to real-world UFO evidence, including the Roswell incident and mysterious crop circles. The movie often feels grounded and realistic, presenting a version of the near future in which humanity still refuses to fully acknowledge the existence of alien life.

“Disclosure Day” also adds a religious dimension to the story through Jane (Eve Hewson), a former novice nun and Daniel’s partner.

While Daniel is determined to reveal the truth, Jane worries about how people may react if the existence of extraterrestrial life is confirmed. She fears such a discovery could create confusion among religious communities and challenge long-held beliefs. Their different views add another layer to this movie, raising questions about how humanity should respond to a revelation that could change its understanding of the universe.

That realism, however, also becomes one of the movie’s weaknesses as it spends too much time on political mysteries, making it less thrilling than typical sci-fi blockbusters. Since the aliens are hidden for most of the story, the movie lacks big, exciting visual moments.

The film has a wonderful message about empathy and human rights. However, the transition to deeper themes might feel a little sudden for audiences looking for an action-packed alien invasion story.

Ultimately, “Disclosure Day” is a polished and thoughtfully made film. Spielberg’s storytelling remains sharp, and the production is technically impressive throughout.

“Disclosure Day” is currently showing in theaters here.