Spielberg Returns to Alien Territory with a Nostalgic Sci-Fi Thriller

Steven Spielberg returns to one of his signature themes, humanity’s encounter with visitors from space, in his new film "The Discovery". The review says the movie recaptures some of the cinematic magic of his classic work, helped by an impressive cast and a score by John Williams, but it also relies on familiar motifs and does not break new ground.

The film stars Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt as Daniel and Maggie, two strangers whose lives intersect after a strange event leaves them affected by mysterious non-Earth entities and gives them unusual abilities. They are then hunted across the country by a powerful intelligence agency led by a determined agent played by Colin Firth. Along the way, they encounter an underground group trying to make contact with the same mysterious visitors, deepening the central mystery.

The review says Spielberg is clearly aiming for a comeback, with a large cast, a substantial budget, and multiple nods to the films that defined his career. It argues that, despite a running time that can feel a little long, the movie largely succeeds as a tense, intriguing viewing experience and restores some of the wonder that marked his classic science-fiction films.

The strongest praise goes to Williams’s soundtrack and the performances, especially Firth’s turn as the obsessive pursuer. Still, the review stresses that the film is not especially original, and its climactic moments do not reach the level of Spielberg’s better-known alien films such as "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Even so, it concludes that "The Discovery" remains worthwhile and is recommended, especially on the big screen. The film is listed as a 2026 U.S. production, directed by Spielberg, running 145 minutes, and the review gives it 3.8 out of 5.