Spielberg Said ‘Disclosure Day’ Would Challenge Christian Faith. Instead, Many Find It Laughable.

Steven Spielberg’s new alien thriller, “Disclosure Day,” is leaving some moviegoers laughing their way out of theaters. This is an issue for the legendary filmmaker, as that movie was never intended to be a comedy.

The film’s official logline says, “If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?”

Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo, “Disclosure Day” has earned average but not great reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. But the vibe on social media is decidedly more negative, with commenters saying they believe Spielberg has lost the golden touch that made films like “Jurassic Park” and “E.T.” so magical.

“So… is Disclosure Day meant to be a comedy or something? Because I was laughing my ass off during most of it,” one X user wrote. 

Other commenters mentioned how the film was rumored to run counter to the Christian faith, which they said was ultimately ineffective.

“Just got back from Disclosure Day. I went with the intention of debunking what I heard was a manipulation of Christian theology to leave room for aliens in God’s creation,” another person wrote. 

“I expected a high-quality movie with a dangerous messaging that would be planting a seed for the Great Deception. What I watched was an embarrassingly bad movie. Predictable. Cliche. The climax was laughable. It would have been semi-shocking two decades ago. The only thing that sort of saved it was the great acting despite the horrible script.”

The commenter went on, “As for debunking it spiritually, no need. It was so ham-fisted with its attempt to work aliens into theology that none of the elect could easily be swayed. I wasted two-and-a-half hours.”

“145 minutes for pretentious overacting in scenes intended for Oscar nomination clips. Disclosure Day was made by people who enjoy sniffing their own farts, and, boy howdy, did this movie sh*t the bed,” echoed another. “Pack it up, Grandpa. Spielberg is done.”

“It was mid at best. Jumbled, predictable, unbelievable, a garbage soundtrack, plot holes a plenty, and good acting. I’ve rewatched so many of Spielberg movies joyfully. This is a one and done,” another wrote.

The movie debuted on June 12. It currently has an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74% audience score. 

Spielberg previously mentioned how the discovery of intelligent extraterrestrial life could challenge people’s understanding of faith. 

“The movie takes the position of the believers, or the curious, the ones that have been deeply affected by this,” Spielberg said in an interview with CBS News. “And the movie also takes the position of the church. What does this do to the fundamental beliefs that many of us have? Is God our God only on this planet? Or is God a god for every system where there’s civilization and intelligent life, and even developing life?”

However, faith leaders and religious folks are pushing back on that idea, saying the existence of aliens wouldn’t be a faith-shaking moment even if the movie were perfectly executed. And they say it’s just not.