By Hannah Watson
Director Steven Spielberg reflected on his lifelong fascination with the unexplained saying, “I’ve made a lot of movies about things that cannot be explained — from sharks to saucers.”
In 1982, Spielberg made us love extraterrestrials — we’re looking at you E.T. In 2026, that might not be the case. The Universal Pictures release from Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, “Disclosure Day”, paints for us a different picture of extraterrestrials. What if aliens weren’t so lovable, but controlling and walking among us? What if the unknown was not something far away, but right beside us, hidden in plain sight?
As if the fictional idea that ordinary people are actually aliens isn’t creepy enough, Spielberg discussed how he wanted the film to focus on reality, “I wanted to make sure they were real people based on reports about abduction and lost time.” Sci-fi movies, even the creepiest, can often be dismissed as just that — fiction — with no real credibility or account. What makes “Disclosure Day” different is Spielberg’s decision to pull from those reports. The new approach keeps spectators on the edge of their seats in theaters and has them questioning what’s really possible once they leave.
Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) has a job to protect data, but when things are all too suspicious, he makes a decision that will change not only his life, but everyone else’s. He begins by using his intelligence to understand and unlock what the government is trying to hide. After Kellner realizes how much the secrets are affecting life as it is understood, he knows it’s time for “Disclosure Day”.
One of those affected is Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) who you might recognize as Emily Charlton, from another 2026 release earlier this year, “The Devil Wears Prada 2”. This time, Blunt stars as a TV meteorologist whose life changes drastically after meeting Daniel…again...? Their connection is one that raises more questions than it answers. It hints at memory gaps and unexplainable events — it is Spielberg, after all. As their paths continue to cross, suspense grows, suggesting there is something much larger at play.
“Disclosure Day” blends science fiction as we know it with the suspense and uncertainty of a thriller — exploring themes of identity, trust and control. Who is the person beside them? Who can they trust? Are they even in control of themselves? The film will leave audiences questioning everything they thought they knew.
June 12, 2026, “Disclosure Day” will be released exclusively in theaters. There is currently no insight on release dates for streaming services. For the audience who raves about science fiction or loves suspense, the film will spark conversation. It may cause some to walk away feeling unsettled or unsure, but — thanks to Spielberg — aware of the unexplained.
