Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day, is drawing strong early reactions ahead of its global theatrical release on June 12. The sci-fi thriller marks a return to the director’s long-running interest in extraterrestrial life, government secrecy, and the philosophical question of humanity’s place in the universe. The story follows a U.S.-government conspiracy to hide evidence of intelligent alien life, until a small group of truth-seekers tries to reveal the secret to a world already facing war and possible destruction.
The film stars Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Wyatt Russell. It is written by David Koepp, with frequent Spielberg collaborators Janusz Kaminski on cinematography, Sarah Broshar on editing, and John Williams composing the score. Early reviews began appearing on June 9, and the movie currently holds an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 138 reviews, along with a 74 on Metacritic.
Critics have largely praised Spielberg’s ability to blend spectacle with deeper themes. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney called the film a continuation of the spirit of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T., while noting that the director’s later-life work brings greater maturity to ideas about secrecy, manipulation, and government power. Rooney also highlighted the movie’s focus on hope, truth, empathy, and spirituality, describing it as both a propulsive thriller and a thematic exploration of fear and wonder.
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave the film four stars, describing it as an enjoyable mix of absurdity and seriousness. He said Spielberg treats familiar alien-conspiracy ideas, including Roswell and crop circles, with playful but respectful conviction. Bradshaw also noted the film’s idealistic belief that a true public disclosure of alien life would provoke emotional shock over the treatment of captured beings.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich praised Spielberg’s sincerity, calling the film a fun, goofy popcorn movie that still reflects the filmmaker’s broader concerns about isolation and division in modern life. He argued that Disclosure Day shows an older Spielberg still fascinated by the experience of ordinary people being swept into huge, larger-than-life events.
Empire’s Dan Jolin gave another positive review, saying the movie feels personal in the same way as The Fabelmans. He praised its 35mm cinematography, John Williams’ score, and a series of visual flourishes that recall Spielberg’s classic work, including a major high-speed train sequence that evokes the energy of the Indiana Jones films.
Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri also described the film as deeply personal, pointing to Spielberg’s long-standing connection to horror, trauma, and the unknown. He said the movie’s messy qualities are part of its emotional power, reflecting the director’s effort to work through conflicting ideas.
Not all reactions were positive. The AV Club’s Monica Castillo felt the film is weighed down by digressions and an uneven structure, though she still called it impressive by the standards of most filmmakers. The BBC’s Nicholas Barber was more negative, criticizing the film as conventional and emotionally distant, though he acknowledged that viewers who share Spielberg’s optimism may respond more warmly.
Overall, Disclosure Day is emerging as a major late-career Spielberg event: widely admired for its craft, ambition, and emotional sincerity, even if some critics find it uneven.
