DISCLOSURE DAY Review

Disclosure Day finds Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor) as a cybersecurity expert

who steals a piece of extraterrestrial technology from the Wardex corporation, containing proof of multiple instances of alien contact. Intent on exposing the truth to the public, Daniel becomes the target of Wardex CEO Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), who sends federal authorities to hunt him down, forcing Daniel and his girlfriend Jane (Eve Hewson) to go into hiding. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) has an unexplainable encounter when a cardinal crashes through her apartment window during breakfast. After her interaction, she begins to read minds and speak languages she never previously learned. As global tensions push the world toward the brink of World War III, Wardex finds itself at war with a rebel movement led by Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo), each side fighting to control how, and whether, the truth is revealed.

Disclosure Day is directed by Steven Spielberg, quite possibly the most famous filmmaker of all time. When you think of Spielberg, most people's minds first go to the science-fiction canon. From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982), to Minority Report (2002) and War Of The Worlds (2005), many people consider this to be what Spielberg does best.

This begs the question... Where does Disclosure Day fit into his filmography?

The most obvious comparison here is Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, a film that shares many parallels with Disclosure Day, to the point where some are referring to it as a "spiritual sequel". Both films are about government cover-ups of proof of extraterrestrial life, the awe of this revelation, and the fear of an institution covering the eyes of the public. Both films take cynical looks at people in positions of power, while never losing their sense of wonder. The possibility of alien life forms is something truly exciting to Spielberg, as all of his science fiction films seem to contain this contagious element of hope. I think tonally the film dips into some of the paranoia elements of War Of The Worlds, but I still think first and foremost it harkens back to his early days of hopeful filmmaking.

This film is also extremely motivated to tackle modern issues. The transition from governmental threats to corporate ones. Looking at these big corporations as overlords, going after fears from the digital age. Who controls reality? I was wondering if this was going to play more of a factor, like would anyone believe Daniel even with his evidence. Or would it simply be dismissed as a deepfake? Humans have always been hesitant to believe unbelievable discoveries captured on camera. Some people still believe Stanley Kubrick directed the moon landing. While the film doesn't go quite this far, it still recognizes the distrust our society is living with right now. The film understands that in the 21st century, truth is less a moral absolute than an asset to be weaponized, and monetized.

From a craft standpoint, this does a lot of things well. Janusz Kamiński is working with Spielberg for the 21st time! John Williams for the 30th time! These are truly astounding numbers. John Williams is a lock to get Oscar nominated just about every time he composes a score these days, and this will be one of his best nominations in recent memory. I thoroughly enjoyed his work here. There was a palpable sense of urgency to the film that was provided by Williams. Kamiński gives the film a grandiose and epic feel. Spielberg is famous for balancing the big spectacle with the intimate human scale. It is Kamiński's job to capture that, and he does it well here. My only major critique from a craft standpoint would be the visual effects, which I personally thought felt kitschy from time to time. In particular the scenes with the animals visiting the humans.

We can´t talk about this film without talking about Emily Blunt. Such a demanding performance that juggles emotions and mental capacities. There's an almost supernatural element to her performance, she has to speak in multiple languages, and she carries a lot of the emotional weight of the film on her shoulders. She is terrific, this is one of the best performances of her career. I thought the cast was good for the most part, I would single out Eve Hewson and Colman Domingo as my favorite supporting performances here. Josh O´Connor was good, I think the script held him back from being at his best.

Ah yes, the script. This film has a lot of great things going for it, but the script is a bit confusing at times. The film could use a little bit more nuance, the protagonists show very few flaws, and we never plunge too deep into any characters. Daniel in particular really lacks moral ambiguity. There are so many times the film almost goes a level deeper, especially in regards to a particular childhood event, but the film keeps many of these elements surface level. I also do think tonally it can come off a bit messy, due to the constant changing between an action filled crime movie and wonder-filled science-fiction film. I think the film touches on so many ideas, but just leaving them at an arm's length does make it more difficult to resonate with. The subject of religion is frequently discussed by directors who are getting older, and they sort of circle around it but never address it head on. That being said, this film does leave you with that true feeling of magic.

Steven Spielberg. What is there to say at this point? This is far from his best film, but at a certain point you just have to sit back and be grateful you get to live in a world where Spielberg makes movies. A film with very high highs, and a few low lows. A film that frustrates, excites, angers and bewilders you.

The kind of movie that makes you say, they don't make movies like this anymore.

🍿 SCORE = 76 / 100