New Spielberg film 'Disclosure Day': Don't joke about the truth about aliens

Steven Spielberg, a veteran of cinematic science fiction, returns to the theme of alien encounters with his latest film, 'Disclosure Day.' This new work shifts the focus from his earlier, more wondrous depictions of extraterrestrial contact to an era defined by digital surveillance and AI-powered disinformation. The film probes humanity's fundamental response to the unknown: viewing it as an opportunity or a threat.

Spielberg's cinematic journey with aliens began with films like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) and 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982), which explored awe and apprehension, often limiting contact to a select few. A darker turn came with 'War of the Worlds' (2005), reflecting post-9/11 anxieties by portraying aliens as invaders disrupting essential infrastructure and communication. In 'Disclosure Day,' Spielberg brings the theme of government secrecy surrounding alien contact to the forefront, making it the central narrative element.

The film's protagonist, Daniel (played by Josh O’Connor), is a cybersecurity expert reminiscent of Edward Snowden. Believing that truth is a fundamental right, Daniel, a former employee of a government-affiliated tech firm, aims to inform the global community about the existence of extraterrestrials. His antagonist (Colin Firth) argues that knowledge of superior cosmic neighbors would further destabilize a world already grappling with crises.

As Daniel and his allies work to expose the cover-up, the film highlights the dramatic evolution of the media landscape since the 'E.T.' era. Images and documents now circulate digitally, and access to private data is commonplace. The narrative also imagines telepathic phenomena and emotional transfer facilitated by alien technology, used by villains for control and by heroes to enhance empathy. Spielberg's film grapples with the crisis of evidence in a culture saturated with deepfakes, yet it holds onto the documentary promise of images, presenting stolen footage of violence against aliens as irrefutable proof intended for a global television broadcast.