Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day has finally landed, and it's already sparking conversations about one of the most ambitious sequences in the director's career: a breathtaking four-minute one-take shot that marks the longest oner Spielberg has ever attempted. In a new interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, Spielberg and star Emily Blunt pull back the curtain on how they pulled off this technical marvel.
The sci-fi epic, written by Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp, follows a world on the brink of World War III after a shocking revelation about extraterrestrial life. The film stars Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth, and early reviews have praised its blend of wonder and weirdness. As Collider's Nate Richard put it, the blockbuster retains that classic Spielbergian magic but "isn't afraid to get a little weird."
Spielberg's Philosophy on One-Take Shots
When asked about the four-minute oner set in a news station, Spielberg downplayed the idea of keeping score. "I don't do oners for the sake of comparing them," he said, referencing the acclaimed series Adolescence. Instead, he explained that his approach is about audience engagement: "A oner allows the audience to contribute to the experience by selecting who to watch. They create the close-up, the two-shot—they decide where to cut, just like in theater."
Blunt, who delivers a gripping performance during the sequence, credited the extensive rehearsal time. "Because we had so much time scheduled—we weren't going to shoot it as a oner initially—we could really choreograph it," she said. She also gave a shout-out to steadicam operator Buzz, whose precision was key to the shot's success.
For fans of Spielberg's alien films, Disclosure Day continues a long tradition. Check out our ranking of every Steven Spielberg alien movie, from Close Encounters to this latest entry.
Spielberg's Favorite Nolan Film and UFO Beliefs
In a lighter moment, Weintraub asked both filmmakers to name their favorite Christopher Nolan movie. Spielberg didn't hesitate: "Memento. It will be my all-time favorite movie that Chris made forever." Blunt, who starred in Nolan's Oppenheimer, diplomatically chose The Dark Knight.
Spielberg also addressed his access to classified information about UFOs. Despite his reputation, he insisted, "I know no more or less than anybody who has paid attention to the entire UFO phenomenon." He cited documentaries, congressional testimony, and whistleblowers as his sources, adding, "Based on circumstantial evidence from 2017 until recently, I'm pretty convinced this is really happening."
With Disclosure Day already scoring 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear Spielberg hasn't lost his touch. For more on the film's reception, read our review: Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' Review: A Mind-Bending Conspiracy Thriller, Not Your Typical Alien Movie.
The interview also touched on Spielberg's return to sci-fi after Ready Player One, which recently hit HBO Max's top 10. As Disclosure Day dominates theaters, it's a reminder of why Spielberg remains a master of the genre.
