'Disclosure Day' is classic Spielberg, but should have been much more

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Steven Spielberg has more than earned his status and reputation as one of the most iconic and influential filmmakers of all time. However, over the last two decades, it has become clear that he is no longer as inspired to capture the awe and wonder that made his early work so celebrated. While his latest return to blockbuster event films in “Disclosure Day” proves the man still hasn’t fully lost his touch, it feels a bit like he isn’t really interested in evolving as a storyteller.

“Disclosure Day” follows Dr. Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity specialist on the run from the shady corporation that previously employed him, after stealing classified documents containing proof of extraterrestrial life. Meanwhile, meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) receives an otherworldly connection that forces her into the fray to understand what is happening to her.

The story progresses in increasingly bizarre directions while still maintaining the insanely sentimental schmaltz Spielberg is known for. This feels like he was almost inspired by the structure and pacing in “One Battle After Another,” as he immediately throws the audience into the action as the main characters are pursued by corrupt people in power. The difference in the screenplays—beyond the actual themes and story— is that while “One Battle After Another” is tight and perfectly paced, “Disclosure Day” stumbles through clunky plotting and exposition.

Spielberg clearly has some weighty ideas he wants to explore, the primary one being on the nature of the relationship between logic and empathy, and how the two go hand in hand if proper connection and communication are desired. The way he uses these concepts and the religious imagery to explore how humanity would react to the knowledge of other life in the universe is essential for this story. Unfortunately, these ideas have to be streamlined and simplified for the general audience this is aimed at. The result is a series of incredibly well-directed sequences and action set pieces stitched together by scenes of characters professing overly didactic platitudes that only serve to spoon-feed most of the movie’s themes and ideas. 

Spielberg is a master at constructing action set pieces. He has an understanding of how to perfectly place every variable so that each set piece crescendos into a satisfying catharsis when the scene concludes. This is still present here, as “Disclosure Day” boasts some of the most thrilling scenes of the year so far. The problem is that he takes subject matter that should ideally be told less conventionally, and presents everything in the most Spielbergian way possible, with the Janus Kaminski lighting turned up to 11 and a borderline maudlin score from John Williams.

It reminds me of how Guillermo del Toro approached his “Frankenstein” adaptation last year. A very well-made, entertaining film with subject matter that plays to the filmmaker’s strengths and interests, but ultimately contains no real surprises.

Spielberg is no stranger to science fiction about extraterrestrial life, and it makes sense that he would want to tell this story. It just feels like ground he’s already covered with more humanity in the past. I want to care about the people in this story, but beyond some likable performances by great actors, I just couldn’t get fully on board with these characters.

With that being said, it is exciting to watch a new movie from a classic filmmaker who still feels like he has something to say and can still thrill audiences. With the caliber of performers working together here, it’s almost impossible not to have a good time with this movie. Emily Blunt seriously carries a lot of this and feels like the only character that was actually fun to write. This is easily one of her most impressive performances just from what is demanded of her, and she is by far the most electric to watch.

It’s obvious Spielberg still has something to say, but through the blockbuster filter, I think his message came out feeling a little too clean and muddled at the same time. The ways he uses religious imagery and symbolism here work conceptually, but I don’t think he’s expressing anything too profound or even that authentic, about religion’s role in the conversation the film presents about existence. It feels like he was approaching these ideas in the most universal ways possible, which is fitting, but ultimately winds up feeling a bit too broad.

There is still plenty to love about “Disclosure Day” despite its shortcomings. While its ending may come across as a little naive and borderline tone-deaf, considering the amount of misinformation spread online and the increasing distrust people have in each other, there is something special about a Spielberg-directed hope-core alien flick released in 2026. Not everything coalesced perfectly in the end, but it’s great to know that the biggest movies in the world can still promote empathy first.

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