Josh O'Connor directly invoked E.T. when describing Disclosure Day: "It's like old-school Spielberg... Close Encounters, E.T.; that world." But how do these two alien films actually compare?
— Josh O'Connor on Disclosure Day
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Disclosure Day (2026) | E.T. (1982) | |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Steven Spielberg | Steven Spielberg |
| Composer | John Williams | John Williams |
| Protagonist | Adult woman (meteorologist) | Child (Elliott) |
| Alien presence | Possessing force / communication | Physical creature, friend |
| Government role | Cover-up being exposed | Antagonistic pursuit |
| Scale | Global event | Personal/suburban |
| Primary emotion | Fear / revelation | Love / friendship |
| Audience | Adults | Family |
The Spielberg "Wonder" Factor
E.T. is perhaps Spielberg's most emotionally pure film — a story about childhood loneliness, friendship, and loss told through an alien encounter. The alien is a character we love.
Disclosure Day appears to be something different. The alien presence isn't a lovable creature — it's a force that takes over Emily Blunt's character against her will. The "wonder" is tinged with fear.
Different Questions
E.T. asks: What if you found an alien and became friends?
Disclosure Day asks: What if the truth about alien life was revealed to the world?
One is intimate and personal; the other is global and political. Both are distinctly Spielberg, but represent different aspects of his filmmaking interests.
Shared DNA
- John Williams scores evoking wonder and emotion
- Ordinary people confronting the extraordinary
- Suburban/heartland American settings
- Government as obstacle
- Communication as central theme