Cybersecurity. Government conspiracies. Mind reading. Aliens. Blockbuster extraordinaire Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi thriller, the aptly titled “Disclosure Day,” has it all. The film is a strange, intense, and riveting experience that asks some big questions with elusive answers.
The spiderweb of a plot zeros in on Daniel (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity specialist who has obtained highly sensitive data that includes 80 years of secrets. He feels compelled to reveal them to the world, but doing so is a dangerous mission, especially when an entire corporation led by a ruthless boss (Colin Firth) is on your trail. Meanwhile, a local meteorologist named Margaret (Emily Blunt) discovers a supernatural ability that plays a key role in the grand scheme of it all. That’s one heck of a premise.
What I really appreciate about this film is that it doesn’t hold our hand or overexplain the unfolding events. We’re yanked into this chaotic story from the get-go, and Spielberg trusts us as an audience to stick with it. You might find yourself asking, “What’s going on?” throughout the duration, and that’s all part of the point. In fact, the characters themselves often ask the same thing, making us feel as if we’re in the same boat. It’s a film that certainly keeps you on your toes, and the mysteriousness of it all makes the eventual reveals even more potent.
And as you’d expect from a Spielberg blockbuster, this thing is complete with fancy camerawork, a booming score, and lots of exhilarating, carefully choreographed action sequences, from twisty car chases to a breathtaking set piece involving an escape onto a moving train. Josh O’Connor is great in this role playing a relatively normal guy who literally has world-changing information in his hands and has found himself caught in perilous circumstances. Emily Blunt is also impressive, giving a highly emotional performance – there’s a particular scene where she’s overcome with anxiety and she makes it look incredibly believable. Colin Firth gets his villain on here, and he does it well.
Disclosure Day very much feels like an extension of Spielberg’s past alien-themed flicks like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extraterrestrial for the modern times. And for a high-concept blockbuster, it’s got a lot of lofty thoughts on the brain. It’s all about our immense need for the truth, and how we deal with not having it. How would the world react if everything it has ever known was upended? How far would you go to benefit the greater good? There’s also a spiritual element presented. Would the existence of aliens throw your faith into doubt, or can they both comfortably coexist?
These questions don’t have easy conclusions, but they sure do make for a fascinating film.
“Disclosure Day” is available to rent or buy on all major streaming platforms
Zach Murphy is an avid enthusiast of cinema, theater and storytelling. He lives with his wonderful wife Kelly in St. Paul. You can read more reviews at his blog, Fade to Zach.
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