Action
Disclosure Day
Review: ‘Disclosure Day’ Brings Alien Conspiracy Theories Back to the Cinematic Forefront, but It’s Far from Spielberg’s Finest
June 10, 2026Ben MK
|
With such cinematic touchstones as Jurassic Park, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Saving Private Ryan to his credit, Steven Spielberg is, without a doubt, a Hollywood legend. Ever since his first blockbuster, Jaws, in 1975, Spielberg's films have proven to be box office events like no other, drawing in legions of moviegoers and making him not only one of Hollywood's most popular filmmakers, but also the highest-grossing filmmaker in history. Over the course of an impressive, five-decade-long career, Spielberg has given audiences some of the most unforgettable movies ever to grace the silver screen, spanning everything from historical drama to science fiction, and everything in between. And with Disclosure Day, the 79-year-old director is back with his 34th big screen feature — but does this alien conspiracy drama live up to the sky-high expectations set by Spielberg's own filmography? Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor) is a mathematically gifted cybersecurity expert for Wardex, a non-governmental U.S. agency whose mission is to cover up all evidence of extra-terrestrial life and to prevent the general public from ever discovering that aliens exist. However, when he begins to question the ethics and intent of his shadowy employer, Daniel makes the life-changing decision to steal the very data that he's been hired to help keep secret and to leak it to the world for all to see. Teaming up with a dozen or so of like-minded colleagues, such as Wardex's Director of Biological Assets, Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo), Daniel must evade the armed goons dispatched by Wardex’s CEO, Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), who will stop at nothing — even going as far as to kidnap and hold at ransom Daniel's girlfriend, former nun Jane Blankenship (Eve Hewson) — to keep this group of rogue employees from achieving their goal and exposing this decades-long conspiracy to the global population. What Daniel doesn't realize, though, is that if he, Hugo and their fellow compatriots are to succeed, they'll need a little help from one of the most unlikely people on the planet — a meteorologist from a small, unassuming Kansas City TV station who has suddenly found herself with inexplicable abilities far beyond her wildest imagination. Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) was born and raised in Kansas; yet, like Daniel, she has little memory of what her life was like before the age of ten. Ever since a red Cardinal flew through her and her boyfriend Jackson's (Wyatt Russell) apartment window, however, she's been experiencing strange goings-on — namely, the ability to speak languages she's never spoken before and to telepathically connect with complete strangers she's never before met. It's a bizarre turn of events that also happens to align with the timing of Daniel and Hugo's data heist, a suspicious coincidence that has Hugo convinced that Margaret's fantastical new abilities are somehow linked to the very aliens Wardex has been trying to keep secret from the public. Unbeknownst to both Daniel and Margaret, though, their connection stretches far deeper than what even the highest-ranking officials at Wardex could have ever anticipated. And while Noah would do anything to get them both together in the same room, neither he nor anyone else on the agency's payroll is prepared for what will happen next, as the mysterious truth behind Daniel and Margaret's forgotten, shared past is revealed — a long-overdue revelation that will also pave the way for the one of the most important and earth-shattering turning points in all of human history. Written by David Koepp, the result is a film that's more roller coaster ride than traditional narrative, as viewers are thrust headlong into this harrowing adventure with nary a trace of preamble or more than an iota of context. Still, in spite of how exciting that might sound on paper, in reality, Disclosure Day leaves much to be desired, thanks to its glaring lack of plot, which Spielberg and Koepp have instead replaced with scene after scene of either Daniel trying to outsmart Noah and his thugs or Margaret trying to figure out her bewildering new abilities. Make no mistake, the story does have its positives, such as the camera work of Spielberg's usual collaborator, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, and the score from another frequent filmmaking partner, famed composer John Williams. Yet, although the cast also has things covered in the acting department, one can't help but bemoan the movie's lackluster third act, which doesn't deliver much more than what has already been teased, a fact that has the potential to disappoint even the most dedicated Spielberg fan. Suffice to say, Disclosure Day isn't likely to be remembered as one of Spielberg's most beloved classics, but rather an interesting experiment or a fascinating footnote to a storied Hollywood career. Love it or hate it, however, there's no denying the artistry behind this sci-fi drama. Yet, although there are sure to be moviegoers who will enjoy this film for what it is, for the most part, audiences would be better off skipping over it entirely — a recommendation that would be even easier to make were Spielberg's name not attached at all. Disclosure Day releases June 12th, 2026 from Universal Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of PG-13 for action/violence, some bloody images and strong language. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 25 min. |
0 comments