Josh O’Connor says Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” felt like stepping into a classic on day one, while tying it to “Close Encounters.”
A “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” connection is already fueling excitement for “Disclosure Day,” and Josh O’Connor’s first-day impressions only add to the buzz.
O’Connor. who stars as a cybersecurity expert in the upcoming film. described how strongly Spielberg’s signature world shows up even before the cameras roll.. He says his first day on the backlot felt instantly recognizable. filled with practical elements like smoke. light. and dramatic set pieces that made him think. in plain terms. that he was “in a Steven Spielberg movie.”
Insight: For audiences, this kind of firsthand atmosphere matters because Spielberg films often trade on mood as much as story. If the set itself delivers that familiar sense of wonder, viewers are more likely to feel pulled in from the start.
While the plot details remain limited. Misryoum reports that “Disclosure Day” is positioned as territory Spielberg knows well. with hints that it answers questions raised by “Close Encounters.” O’Connor confirmed that the film connects to that legacy through the relationship at the center of the story. linking his character’s role and what he suspects to a mysterious bond involving his co-star’s meteorologist character.
In Misryoum’s telling, O’Connor also framed his character, Daniel, as something more grounded than a blockbuster archetype.. He described Daniel as an “everyday guy” who has to adapt to an extraordinary situation. leaning into the idea of an unglamorous hero caught inside events he can’t fully control.
Insight: That contrast between ordinary instincts and overwhelming circumstances is a proven recipe for science-fiction drama. It also helps explain why the “Disclosure Day” conversation is spreading beyond fans of space stories and into wider pop-culture circles.
Secrecy around the production has been part of the attention around the movie. and O’Connor said the constraints were real on his side.. He described receiving the script under unusual circumstances and having it taken away quickly. emphasizing that the secrecy makes sense when Spielberg releases a new project and everyone involved wants to know what comes next.
Still, he said watching the finished film was unlike any other experience he’s had.. Unlike typical first-view jitters that can pull attention to one’s own appearance. he said he and Emily Blunt were “in awe. ” describing it as a dream moment made even more surreal by how intensely the film-world landed for them on screen.
Insight: When actors describe the final cut as something beyond performance—more like immersion—they’re signaling what viewers can expect: not just a plot to decode, but a feeling designed to stay with you.
As the film builds toward its theater opening on June 12. O’Connor also shared a personal Spielberg story that captures the director’s approach to emotion.. He recalled struggling with an emotional scene during production. then receiving a late-night message that he says clarified exactly how to release what the moment was trying to say.. He credits that “unlocking” for helping him find the right path into the performance. while also noting the joke that followed when Spielberg revealed the text was meant for someone else.
With “Disclosure Day” set to blend Spielberg-scale awe with character-driven tension, the early momentum suggests Misryoum audiences are primed to watch not only for answers, but for the feeling that made the original mysteries so unforgettable.