Disclosure Day Emily Blunt movie Steven Spielberg hd still

A meteorologist (Emily Blunt) and a cybersecurity expert (Josh O’Connor) find themselves at the centre of a movement to expose the government's cover-up of extraterrestrial secrets.

An hour and a half into “Disclosure Day”, Margaret (played by Emily Blunt) rescues Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor) from being held hostage by an organization keeping important global secrets. Margaret and Daniel didn't know each other, but at that moment, they knew they shared a mutual experience and a feeling no one else does.

And so, Margaret took Daniel into her arms and they fled from this highly secured location, bypassing troops of military personnel with no armed weapons or lifting any form of threat. She did it through the power of sentimentality. Brilliant.

It's the kind of sequence that many directors will not dare pull off. It feels too easy and convenient, but director Steven Spielberg made the most out of it with enough gravitas and careful control of tone to make sure it can work. To put it simply: this is Spielberg doing what he does best.

Disclosure Day Josh O'Connor movie Steven Spielberg hd still

It has been twenty years since Spielberg directed a film featuring aliens, the last being War of the Worlds, in which extraterrestrial beings are the antagonists. “Disclosure Day” chose to dismiss the idea that aliens are either good or bad. They just want to be understood.

There are similarities between “Disclosure Day” and Denis Villeneuve's “Arrival”, mostly in how understanding the emotions of any being is integral to the human experience. Spielberg has articulated this message numerous times in his vast filmography, but it's something worth reinforcing in different contexts.

Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor are both powerhouses here, with Blunt bringing an otherworldly energy that elevates the movie. Spielberg staples like musical composer John Williams and cinematographer Janusz Kamiński return here to boost the Spielberg magic.

“Disclosure Day” is tight despite the lengthy running time because it never lets the story rest. Characters are forced to move a lot, even during scenes where they get to sleep. It's not perfect, but among other Spielberg favorites, this sits on the higher end of the list