Government disclosure of the existence of aliens has been a hot topic post-COVID with numerous congressional hearings, hit documentaries, declassified files, and Presidential promises making the confirmation of the existence of aliens seem imminent. One person who has noticed has been legendary director Steven Spielberg who has now made his return into extraterrestrial science fiction to provide his take on the existence of aliens and the question of whether or not humanity is ready to
Disclosure Day immediately thrusts us in the middle of a massive government conspiracy as Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a young cybersecurity expert, had turned whistleblower and is being targeted by clandestine corporation Wardex led by Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). Daniel races to get the information that he stole to his former colleague and fellow whistleblower Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo) who seeks to bring about an extraordinary event that will change human history forever; the day of alien disclosure. While they work to make this happen, Kansas City weatherwoman Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) has a sudden, unexplained medical event that thrusts her into the middle of this race toward disclosure. Together, she and Daniel will be left to figure out their places within it all.
The hype and intrigue surrounding Disclosure Day’s story has understandably centered around its sci-fi elements, specifically that of our decades old fascination with aliens finally being revealed within its fictional world. And while that is the main driver of the movie, Disclosure Day also speaks to a much deeper existential question that has plagued humanity for even longer than the question regarding life on other planets; that of religion and faith. As the characters in the movie grapple with the existence of aliens and the lengths to which clandestine, black ops corporate entities will go to keep them secret, they also face the question of what this means for human belief in God and what we believe about human nature itself.
Jane (Eve Hewson) is the main conduit through which this is explored as the former nun who left the convent because of her questions regarding God and is now helping Daniel forces him to consider the implications of revealing the alien secret for the faithful around the world. As they’re forced to question their place in the universe and thus creation, does knowing of another intelligent life form elsewhere undercut what they’ve been told about God’s work on Earth? And if so, does this revelation tear apart their morality or their meaning of life? Or even worse, would the extraordinary technology and ability that aliens have run the risk of motivating some humans to replace God with aliens as new messiahs? As Jane raises these questions, Daniel and Hugo argue that it is imperative humanity is told of the existence of aliens and that knowing exactly what lies in the vastness of the universe will motivate humans to become better and more empathetic.
The juxtaposition of these two competing arguments raises the question of what humanity’s true nature is and which side is correct in their judgment of our readiness. Is Jane correct that humanity cannot be trusted with this information amidst the impact it would have on the established world order or are Daniel and Hugo correct that humanity is capable of greater things if only given the opportunity to rise to the occasion? It’s an interesting philosophical debate that is woven and integrated into this sci- fi thriller perfectly, offering a balance between action and thematic depth during the movie’s dialogue driven, character moments. It’s during these moments where Blunt shines especially, giving one of the best performances of her career as a woman suddenly thrust in a confusing, otherworldly predicament struggling to find her purpose within it all. Blunt perfectly captures the emotional spectrum of finding out you’re integral to the future of humanity while also uncovering things you’d forgotten about yourself. She’s a commanding presence in a pivotal role that strengthens the film.
This isn’t just a meditative movie however as Disclosure Day is packed with high octane sequences throughout its runtime as Daniel and Margaret race toward their shared, shadowy destiny. The movie mostly plays like a chase thriller with thrilling set pieces involving trains and cars in pursuit of our main characters. The scenes are technically superb and keep you on the edge of your seat but avoid feeling repetitive even as they occur frequently. Also notable is the manner in which the scenes are shot with Spielberg’s mastery of the camera on full display. If Park Chan-wook is the best director in the world currently with camera work, Disclosure Day makes it clear that Spielberg is master emeritus. His use of tracking shots, seamless match transitions, and movement make the movie’s cinematography dynamic and eye-popping.
Disclosure Day mixes thrilling chase scenes, substantive exploration of faith and religion, and the wonder of alien life to create a sci-fi movie that is immensely entertaining. The mystery at its center involving the information that Daniel is smuggling and just how he and Margaret are entangled within it is expertly revealed in a methodical, gradual way that makes for perfect pacing which allows the nearly two and a half hour runtime fly by. The explanation of how the alien interactions with Daniel and Margaret worked, as well as how the deus ex machina that Margaret and Noah Scanlon use works, does feel a bit underexplained and confusing, but not enough to detract from the movie’s positives. Combine this with a fantastic performance from Emily Blunt and Disclosure Day is the best Spielberg film we’ve received in a while; a true return to form for one of the architects of the summer blockbuster.
Image: Universal Pictures
