DIRECTOR
Steven Spielberg
The Fabelmans, West Side Story, Ready Player One, The Post, The BFG, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, The Colour Purple, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, Indiana Jones Films, Schindler’s List

STARS
Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson and Wyatt Russell


As he approaches 80 years of age, arguably the greatest film director of all-time, Steven Spielberg, once again provokes audiences to question one of life’s greatest unknowns – are we alone in this universe?

Before we delve a little into the utterly spellbinding manner in which he explores that scenario in Disclosure Day, let’s take one step back to question another astounding mystery of life and have a moment to marvel at its existence – how on earth has the legendary Steven Spielberg never directed a sub-par feature length cinema release!?

Time and time again, Spielberg proves to the (movie) world he not only still possesses all of the passion, skill and innovation he has exhibited from as early as Jaws in 1975, he evidently embraces the evolution of modern technology over time, continues to ensure the storytelling in his films remain emotionally driven and discovers elements of originality to bring to his work.

It is a modus operandi that cannot go unrecognised, forgotten or taken for granted and has yielded the most diverse, utmost excellent and unforgettable body of work stretching across more than 50 years.

It is a modus operandi that applies once more to Disclosure Day.

Early establishments summon immediate intrigue as the leader of a secret government agency wants what is in the possession of a cyber-security expert working for them and won’t hesitate to harm his girlfriend in getting to it. Elsewhere, a meteorologist working for a Kansas City TV station and her boyfriend will become unwittingly connected to proceedings after a bizarre occurrence unfolds.

Initial questions aroused surrounding what Daniel (Josh O’Connor), our cyber-security expert, has that Noah (Colin Firth) and his team will stop at nothing to regain, what this device’s capabilities are and the regularly amusing and infinitely fascinating involvement of Margaret the meteorologist (Emily Blunt) make for an entirely engaging experience and set-up this wondrous event film for the success coming its way and sense of reward ours.

Spielberg, co-writer of Disclosure Day alongside David Koepp (Jurassic Park, 1996s Mission: Impossible, 2002s Spider-man), introduce and maintain humanity as a core component of the story through Daniel and what his best of intentions are, which are then elevated once a mysterious gift Margaret has brings them together. There is no time humanity stands at its strongest in Disclosure Day than during what is a magical finale.

The conceptual design of the aforementioned device, the development of its capabilities and its utilisation by the film’s central characters is compelling, continually keeps an element of suspense at play and is kept from ever becoming overly convoluted.

Among the feelings of familiarity at bay, such as the film’s music score with this being a staggering 30th collaboration between John Williams and Steven Spielberg and the ultimate subject matter, what I enjoyed and admired above all else is the originality brought to an otherwise heavily repeated story and common themes. Margaret’s unique gift is realised, explored and concluded with wonderful creativity and intent that become the focal point of the film, and Emily Blunt the perfect performer to purport these characteristics.

Disclosure Day is classic Spielberg not far at all from his best.

Disclosure Day is showing in cinemas across Australia from June 11th, 2026.

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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