Steven Spielberg's latest film, "Disclosure Day," delves into the profound theological questions that may arise if humanity confirms it is not alone in the universe. The movie, which has drawn over two million viewers, centers on a fictional Trump administration's release of classified UFO files, presenting new evidence of extraterrestrial life. A significant subplot follows a former nun who grapples with the potential for such a revelation to fundamentally challenge Christian beliefs.
UFO investigator Chris Ramsay told the Daily Mail that the film reflects genuine concerns within some religious communities about how the confirmation of alien life might necessitate a reevaluation of creation, humanity's place in the cosmos, and the nature of God. This debate has extended beyond scientific circles into religious and philosophical discussions, with some pastors reportedly preparing for disclosure scenarios they believe could be linked to spiritual deception foretold in biblical prophecy. Figures like Vice President JD Vance have also publicly suggested that UFOs might be demonic in origin.
"Disclosure Day" portrays a cybersecurity expert and a TV meteorologist who leak decades of UFO evidence, pursued by a shadowy government agency. The character of Jane Blankenship, a former nun and girlfriend of the whistleblower, initially fears that the acknowledgment of advanced alien beings could lead humanity to perceive them as deities, thus undermining core religious tenets. However, after seeking refuge at her former convent and reconnecting with a former superior, Jane's perspective evolves. The narrative suggests that the existence of alien life does not inherently conflict with faith; instead, it can deepen belief in a creator.
Ramsay highlighted the film's direct engagement with the religious implications of disclosure, a topic he noted has long been debated by disclosure advocates. He pointed to previous Hollywood depictions of alien contact, such as "Contact," "Signs," and "Arrival," which explored themes of faith, evidence, and humanity's cosmic role. "Disclosure Day," however, is noted for its explicit examination of what proof of alien life could mean for Christianity itself.
"If you're faced with this brand new truth... that here are other beings, it puts into question a lot of the things that people may have read in the Bible," Ramsay explained. He believes Spielberg deliberately included this subplot, understanding that a large portion of the American population, being Christian, might view disclosure as an existential challenge. The film's resolution, according to Ramsay, offers a way to reconcile faith with the possibility of extraterrestrial life, suggesting that a creator would also be the creator of any discovered life forms.
Ramsay also commended the film's incorporation of numerous UFO-related phenomena documented over decades. These include claims of psychic abilities, remote viewing—a concept explored during the Cold War's Stargate program—and telepathy. The movie depicts these abilities in a dramatic Hollywood style but acknowledges government interest in such phenomena.
The film also touches upon the concept of "screen memories," where alleged extraterrestrials may disguise themselves as animals to alter human perception of encounters. Ramsay noted that this phenomenon is frequently reported by individuals who claim contact with non-human intelligence, citing author Whitley Strieber's accounts of encountering owls.
Furthermore, the film illustrates the lingering psychic effects reported by some "experiencers," such as the main character developing new linguistic and telepathic capabilities after an encounter. Ramsay found a particularly impactful scene where a character follows a trail of animals that leads to an illusion of a warm house, which then dissolves into a sterile room with an alien and a child on a metallic slab. This sequence, he said, was highly accurate to reported experiences.
Despite these acclaimed elements, Ramsay expressed some reservations, questioning the film's depiction of alien communication via clicking sounds, suggesting telepathic communication is more commonly reported. He concluded by noting the film's ending, which flashes media snippets of UFO sightings and conspiracy theories, left him hoping for a future where such a film might incorporate actual footage of a non-human crash retrieval, thereby constituting a form of disclosure for the audience.
