Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” is earning early praise as his best film in 20 years, with critics hailing the UFO thriller as a triumphant return to the sci-fi genre for the legendary director. The film, which stars Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, explores what might happen if humanity received proof we are not alone.
Critics who saw preview screenings have called “Disclosure Day” a dense roller coaster ride that blends chase film, love story, and mystery wrapped in sci-fi wonder. Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier wrote that 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.”
Slashfilm’s Bill Bria described it as “the weirdest movie Spielberg’s ever made (complimentary),” praising its “breathtaking compositions” and calling Emily Blunt’s work “her most accomplished performance.” IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill compared it to Spielberg’s classic work, writing that “Disclosure Day is top tier Spielberg, as exhilarating as Raiders but with the emotional texture & increased ambition of his post-9/11 work.”
Emily Blunt has become the focal point of critical enthusiasm. Multiple reviewers have called her performance her best to date, with some suggesting it could draw awards-season attention. Critic Simon Thompson wrote that Blunt is “wondrous” and called the film “the perfect companion piece to E.T. and Close Encounters.” New Rockstars critic Erik Voss said her performance may be “the best performance of her career.”
The film marks Spielberg’s first feature since 2022’s “The Fabelmans,” a gap of four years that has heightened anticipation for his return to blockbuster filmmaking. John Williams composed the score, with critics praising it as one of his best work in years. The screenplay by David Koepp, based on a story by Spielberg, has drawn comparisons to classic Spielberg sci-fi like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” with Blunt telling Empire magazine that “Disclosure Day” answers questions posed by that 1977 film.
The ensemble cast includes Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, and Eve Hewson. Spielberg himself narrated the film’s final trailer, discussing his personal belief that extraterrestrial life exists. “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,” he said.
Not all early reactions were uniformly glowing. Polygon’s Jacob Kleinman offered a more measured take, writing that while the film is “quite good,” it may not be quite as exceptional as some have claimed, noting it contains “a mess of half-baked ideas and plotlines” beneath its strong core. Still, the overwhelming consensus from critics has been enthusiastically positive as the film approaches its June 12 theatrical release.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter — first reactions from critics including Collider, Slashfilm, IndieWire, Gizmodo, Polygon, and freelance critics
- Variety — first reactions coverage calling it Spielberg’s best film in 20 years with praise for Emily Blunt
- Yahoo Entertainment — coverage of Emily Blunt’s performance receiving acclaim as potentially her best work
- MSN — early reviews noting Emily Blunt’s lead role earning widespread acclaim
- The Independent — critics saying the film is Spielberg’s best in 20 years with astounding Emily Blunt performance
- Radio Times — first reactions hailing the film as Spielberg’s best in 20 years
- Wikipedia — production details confirming filming from February to May 2025 and June 12, 2026 release date
