I think anyone who knows the science fiction of Steven Spielberg would want to watch Disclosure Day. I grew up on Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET so I know I love his ideas on science fiction and his films. After watching Disclosure Day, I found the movie intriguing about the what if of how humanity would respond to aliens among us. The concepts are brilliant, the acting skilled but the thriller style is not the best execution for the movie.
Disclosure Day is a science fiction thriller film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by David Koepp. While the world stands on the cusp of WWIII, cybersecurity specialist Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) steals data from Wardex Corporation, a secret arm of the US Government. Wardex CEO Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth) discovers the theft and Daniel along with his girlfriend Jane (Eve Hewson) go on the run. In the meantime, a television meteorologist Margaret (Emily Blunt) awakens to latent psychic abilities somehow tied to Daniel and Wardex. Margaret reaches Daniel and they find they have a mysterious connection. They are almost captured by Wardex operatives but are rescued by Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo) and his counter operative group as they race to get the encrypted data out to the world about a strange truth the government has been keeping secret for years. But will the group be able to release the information before Wardex prevents them?
Disclosure Day has similarities and aspects of it that remind me of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, not surprising considering Steven Spielberg’s influence. Both deal with aliens visiting humanity but Disclosure Day differs in that it tackles the question of what happens when humanity finds out about aliens. Do humans handle it well? And can humanity handle knowing that aliens have been on our planet for years? Those questions are what Disclosure Day handles well, projecting what benefits humans could obtain if they can hold onto empathy and kindness in the face of aliens. The exploration of what aliens mean for humanity is incredibly intriguing.
The action aspects of the film are well done, especially the chase scenes as Daniel and Jane attempt to escape Wardex. I like that they are smart in their actions and believable. I also like the way Jane fights the controls Wardex attempts over her mind and finds a way to assist Daniel even after they are separated. The action sequences with Margaret and Daniel are equally thrilling.
The actors in the film are incredible. Emily Blunt is believable and real, especially dealing with sudden unexplained abilities. Her interactions with those around her are funny and dynamic. Josh O’Connor is equally engaging as he tries to figure out his role and how his abilities pertain to the data on the aliens. I like the way the pair engage with each other, as they try to unravel the truth and find a way to tell humanity before the world comes apart. Colin Firth is brilliant as Scanlon, especially playing a corporate overlord trying to keep what Wardex has done secret. Colman Domingo is empathetic and carries much of the thriller aspects of the film. Eve Hewson as Jane is incredible, her character questioning but also like the physicality of her fighting the operatives and her interactions with Scanlon. 
The thriller aspects of the movie are skilled, especially in the action sequences. What throws off the film for me is the way the story drops the audience into the middle of the story with zero explanation of what is happening. In fact, they open with a scene with wrestlers that is in no way important to the overall story. And by the time you catch up with what’s going on, you still feel a touch lost. The first act of the film is extremely hard to follow due to the thriller aspects. Once involved, the second and third act are much more exciting and engaging. I like the ending of the film even though aspects of it are less than believable, especially on the technical side of television and streaming. However, I do love the acting and I like the concept of how humanity handles such a wondrous truth put before them.
If you like thrilling science fiction and Steven Spielberg, you may like this film. It is good but not as great as some of his other films. The rushed beginning will take time for the audience to engage in the film but once you do, you will love the brilliant acting, especially of Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Eve Hewson. The science fiction aspects are also well thought out with a concept that is unique and different. The action sequences will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked the film and loved the ideas behind it, the intriguing what if of it all.
Rating: 3.5 cardinals out of 5.
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