Disclosure Day

Director: Steven Spielberg

The world is on the brink. News channels filled with  global tensions. But these are nothing compared to what Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) has discovered, a trove of 70 years of historic archives proving that we are not alone on Earth. Now Kellner is on the run with his girlfriend Jane (Eve Hewson), trying to keep the information safe from Wardex, a company which has kept the archive under its control, and its CEO Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). But Kellner is not the only one with a secret. When local TV station weather presenter Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) begins speaking an unknown language live on air, the footage goes viral, making her a target too. Now both on the run, can they come together to disclose their secrets to the world before Wardex ensures they are never seen again?

Disclosure Day is a remarkable film and one that only Spielberg could make. It is a throw back to his 80’s and 90’s Sci-fi work, channelling obvious films like ET and Close Encounters, as well as less obvious, such as AI and even adventures like Indiana Jones. And while it has big set pieces, aliens, and gripping tension, It is also full of heart.

It is that heart, that makes this film special, embodied by Emily Blunt’s excellent performance as Fairchild. As her character develops into an empath, with the ability to emotionally understand everyone she meets, it is here you see the good, that understanding each other can make. It can stand down aggression, help those who need it and can change lives, and that is a wonderful message.

She is well supported. Josh O’Connor, nails his everyman on an extraordinary mission. Colin Firth his evil CEO and Colman Domingo, as Hugo, the man co-ordinating the attempts to disclose. All supported by a classic John Williams score.

On the surface this is a sci-fi adventure, but really it is a film about humanity, how we treat others, and how understanding each other can change the world. A most timely message, delivered as a big bold bit of storytelling in the way only Spielberg can.