The first reactions have landed for Steven Spielberg‘s mysterious UFO thriller Disclosure Day.
The first-blush social media reviews from journalists and critics who have seen preview screenings of the Universal film say the sci-fi movie is one of the director’s best in years.
The film stars Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor and explores what might happen if humanity received proof we are not alone.
Here is a sample of the reactions:
Writes Collider’s Steven Weintraub: “In a shock to absolutely no one, Steven Spielberg has delivered another towering home run with Disclosure Day. I could go on and on about what I loved, but I was lucky enough to see the movie knowing almost nothing, and I strongly recommend you do the same. Stop watching the trailers. The one thing I will say: Emily Blunt is incredible. I know big summer movies aren’t usually the kinds of performances that get awards-season attention, but once people see what she does in this…”
Slashfilm’s Bill Bria: “Disclosure Day is the weirdest movie Spielberg’s ever made (complimentary). Breathtaking compositions, David Koepp’s X-FILES-meets-The Bible script is one big high-wire act, Emily Blunt’s most accomplished performance, John Williams’ best score in years. Riveting, moving stuff.”
IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill: “Disclosure Day is top tier Spielberg, as exhilarating as Raiders but with the emotional texture & increased ambition of his post-9/11 work. Right from the opening Spielberg lays down the gauntlet and reminds you that he does this stuff better than anybody in the history of film.”
Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier: “I loved Disclosure Day. A dense roller coaster ride blending chase film, love story, & mystery, all wrapped in sci-fi wonder. It’s Spielberg’s best film in 20 years, filled w/ all the magic that makes his films so special, plus an all-time character/performance by Emily Blunt.”
Freelance critic Tessa Smith: “Disclosure Day is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Truly something special. I was hanging onto every word, captivated by the story as it all played out. The score perfectly elevates every single scene. Part mystery, part Twilight Zone, something new entirely. I shed a tear at the end. WOW.”
Disclosure Day marks Spielberg’s first new movie since 2022’s The Fabelmans and also stars Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Wyatt Russell and Eve Hewson.
Disclosure Day represents Spielberg’s return to the UFO genre, and fans have speculated that it could be a closet sequel to 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Blunt told Empire magazine, “There are definitely questions posed by Close Encounters that are answered in Disclosure Day.”
When appearing at the South by Southwest Film & TV festival last month, Spielberg said about UFOs, “I don’t know any more than any of you do, but I have a very strong suspicion that we are not alone here on Earth right now — and I made a movie about that.”
Disclosure Day will likely benefit from the real-life so-called disclosure movement, which has seen the Pentagon release previously classified (and largely frustrating) reports and videos regarding anomalous aerial activity.
The film’s final trailer is below, with Universal taking the unusual step of having Spielberg himself narrate the trailer, discussing his personal belief that we are not alone. Tickets went on sale Wednesday for Disclosure Day, which opens June 12.
