Steven Spielberg's Sci-Fi Return 'Disclosure Day' Dominates Rotten Tomatoes

Steven Spielberg, a filmmaker renowned for making audiences fall in love with cinema, makes a highly anticipated return to the science fiction genre with his latest movie, "Disclosure Day." Known for his unparalleled ability to effortlessly move between genres – from reinventing the summer blockbuster with films like "Jaws" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to crafting harrowing historical dramas such as "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan," and redefining extraterrestrial narratives with "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" – Spielberg's return to the alien theme, his first summer release in a decade, has generated significant curiosity. With UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) disclosure becoming an increasingly hot topic, the timing feels perfect for Spielberg to revisit this subject alongside his longtime collaborator, writer David Koepp. The film, released on June 12 and with a runtime of 145 minutes, is classified as a Science Fiction, Thriller, and Mystery.

The narrative of "Disclosure Day" unfolds against a backdrop where humanity teeters on the brink of World War III. The central figure, Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor), a cybercriminal recently released from prison, finds himself embroiled in a clandestine world after being recruited by a secret organization known as Wardex, led by the enigmatic Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). Daniel soon discovers that Wardex is actively concealing the existence of extraterrestrial life from the global population. Having fled the organization, Daniel is now on the run with his girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson), a former nun, and is collaborating with fellow whistleblower Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo). Simultaneously, in Kansas City, TV meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) experiences a profound unraveling of her life. Strange childhood experiences have activated formidable abilities within her, allowing her to read minds and fluently speak in various languages and dialects. These powers, however, are uncontrollable, leading to startling moments, such as her speaking in alien gibberish during a live weather report. The film intricately weaves Daniel and Margaret's separate but converging journeys as they race against time and Noah's pursuit to uncover the truth. Hugo believes their combined experiences and knowledge are the ultimate key to achieving full disclosure.

"Disclosure Day" is not the straightforward alien movie many might anticipate; rather, it is described as a modern-day conspiracy thriller that boldly tackles themes of surveillance, free will, and spirituality. Its marketing, shrouded in secrecy, led to speculation of a stealth sequel to "Close Encounters" or "E.T.," but the film ultimately leans closer in spirit to Spielberg's "Minority Report" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," with surprising splashes of the "Indiana Jones" franchise and elements from "Bridge of Spies." Despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, Spielberg masterfully controls the pacing, ensuring that his signature sense of wonder is palpable throughout. The film features an immersive and invigorating chase sequence in the second act involving O’Connor and Hewson’s characters, yet its most impactful moment builds to a breathtaking and immensely satisfying conclusion in the third act. Koepp's script is noted for finding humanity within elevated, uncanny situations, reminiscent of his recent works like "Black Bag" and "Presence."

The film benefits from the return of Spielberg's trusted collaborators. Janusz Kamiński, the director's longtime Director of Photography, delivers brilliant camerawork that seamlessly incorporates the movie's visual effects. His cinematography ingeniously displays Margaret's evolving powers, allowing her to seamlessly transform into other people. A particularly impressive shot captures Blunt's Margaret staring into a hospital window, her face overlapping with a man on the other side, a scene lauded for maintaining the film's momentum and awe. Legendary composer John Williams also returns, contributing one of his best scores in decades. Williams' composition perfectly complements Spielberg's direction, fitting comfortably alongside their early collaborations and elevating the story's emotional depth, suspense, and spectacle.

The performances in "Disclosure Day" are a significant highlight, with Emily Blunt's portrayal of Margaret Fairchild being hailed as a career-best. Blunt, an actress celebrated for her genre versatility, excels not only in conveying Margaret’s emotional journey but also in believably selling her uncontrollable powers. Her ability to switch between accents, tones, and languages with such ease, making the intentionally jarring transitions appear authentic, has been described as "utterly awesome," "sparkling," and "remarkably nuanced." Josh O'Connor delivers strong work as Daniel, portraying a protagonist who serves as a bridge between Blunt's intense performance and the rest of the ensemble, avoiding the typical blockbuster hero archetype. Colman Domingo and Eve Hewson provide standout moments, delivering dialogue that feels organic rather than expository, while Wyatt Russell offers comedic relief. Colin Firth's committed performance as Noah Scanlon, though at times possessing an energy more suited for an "Indiana Jones" villain, adds a unique dimension to the film.

Critically, "Disclosure Day" has been widely hailed across initial reviews. It currently holds an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes from 58 reviews and a Metacritic score of 77. While some critics described the film as occasionally "flat" or "clunky," the consensus is that Spielberg infuses more than enough moments of wonder and awe to ensure its success. The film is also lauded for being more thoughtful and paranoid than anticipated, making it well worth a watch. Collider's Nate Richard praised it as a major return for Spielberg, affirming that it delivered "exactly what I wanted from his return to the alien movie," despite it being a nuanced sci-fi thriller rather than a conventional alien encounter film. "Disclosure Day" is poised as a summer blockbuster crafted for cinephiles, standing apart with no existing IP attachment and a refreshing lack of overreliance on obvious Easter eggs. Even those not entirely captivated by Spielberg and Koepp's creation are likely to find plenty to admire in this unique cinematic offering, which opened in theaters on June 12.