About the film (courtesy of Universal Pictures):
If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to … Disclosure Day.
Steven Spielberg has been capturing the imaginations of casual moviegoers and cinephiles, alike, for the better part of a half century. Whether it’s making you terrified to be in open water, discovering that archeology is the coolest profession on Earth, essentially becoming an operator to help the lost phone home, constructing a killer theme park, or even searching for an Easter Egg in a virtual world, Mr. Spielberg has just the story for you. And this is only some of the amazing topics he’s discovered. The truth will finally be revealed in Disclosure Day.
Disclosure Day is a 145-minute race to let all of humanity in on the most impactful secret of all time—that we are not alone. This brainchild of Steven Spielberg and David Koepp is an ever-expanding story told from the perspectives of various people over the relatively short timespan of a couple of days. During this window, everything will change as we know it, assuming all goes according to the meticulous plan of those behind the curtain.
The cast of Disclosure Day features the strong acting talents of Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell. It is almost a shame that every audience member isn’t going into this experience completely blind. There is a nagging sense that the narrative might be even more impactful if the viewer had no inkling as to what was about to transpire. As it is, the direction manages an equally impressive job with the plot, visuals, and sound as this epic plays out. The ensemble works in perfect harmony, making the global panic and awe feel grounded and deeply personal.
Yes, Disclosure Day is on the longer side, especially given the narrow window of “real time” it covers, but this duration is necessary to provide a thorough understanding of the stakes. The runtime allows for the development of certain character arcs that become vital to how the story eventually unfolds. By the time the third act arrives, the emotional investment in these individuals turns what could have been a standard sci-fi flick into a haunting human drama. It echoes the atmospheric tension found in War of the Worlds (2005) while maintaining the wonder seen in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
It has been a good while since we have seen a project this impactful and entertaining from this specific creative team. There are thematic elements that rattle around in the mind long after leaving the theater, but not before getting that one last popcorn refill for the ride home, forcing one to silently wonder: “What if?” It feels fair to say that most of Disclosure Day is absolutely feasible, especially given how those in power tend to guard their secrets with such ferocity. The screenplay avoids the typical copy/paste generic templates of the genre, opting instead for a gritty realism that makes the extraordinary feel inevitable.
This latest feature is a fun, worthwhile, and thought-provoking piece of cinema that deserves serious consideration while it is still playing in theaters. Experiencing Disclosure Day in IMAX is highly recommended, as the format truly highlights the vivid visuals and sensational sound design. Massive kudos are due to John Williams, whose score provides the heartbeat of the film. His collaborations with Spielberg are always a treat, but this particular composition feels like a swan song of sorts—majestic, mysterious, and deeply moving. It stands tall alongside his legendary work in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
Disclosure Day reveals all only in theaters starting Friday, June 12th.
