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When you hear that a router supports Wi-Fi 7, you naturally expect it to pack three bands—2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz—along with other Wi-Fi 7 features such as MLO (Multi-Link Operation), 320MHz channels, and 4096-QAM. In reality, however, MLO is the only one of those three Wi-Fi 7 features that routers are required to support, which has resulted in many Wi-Fi 7 routers shipping with only two bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Why do they lack the 6GHz band, and are they still worth getting? I'll answer those two questions below.

Samsung's next big device announcement isn't until July, but to tide us over, there's a leak about an upcoming device that might have flown under your radar until now.

9to5Google spotted a Wireless Power Consortium listing for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE (or Fan Edition), a new lower-priced version of the S26 that launched earlier this year. (Although, in the age of RAMageddon, lower-priced may be relative.) The listing contained an image that has seemingly since been removed, but persists on social media. In the image, you can get an idea of what the phone will look like when it launches sometime later this year.

Take a closer look at the camera bump.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Health app gets big refresh ahead of Galaxy Watch 9 release This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

If you've ever seen a Samsung phone before, it doesn't look too surprising. As 9to5Google pointed out, the camera bump has shifted a bit to be closer to the device's top left corner, so that's one change to note. As for other information, the listing doesn't contain much. A recent leak indicated the phone will use an Exynos 2500 chip rather than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip powering the regular S26, to go along with 8GB of RAM in the S26 FE, as opposed to 12GB in the S26.

In other words, it will probably be a slightly downgraded device with some flagship flair and (hopefully) a reasonable price tag.

Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, a publicly available version of its powerful but previously restricted Mythos model — complete with a new set of safety guardrails designed to keep its most dangerous capabilities out of the wrong hands. Along with this "safe for general use" model, Anthropic also released Claude Mythos 5, a version of Fable without the safety guardrails, to trusted testing partners.

Earlier this year, Anthropic announced a limited launch of Claude Mythos, a new model with advanced cybersecurity capabilities that Anthropic deemed too dangerous to release.

The company says Fable 5 is the most capable model it has ever made generally available, leading nearly all tested benchmarks across software engineering, knowledge work, vision, and scientific research. The more complex the task, Anthropic says, the wider Fable 5's edge over its previous models and competitors.

SEE ALSO: AI's ability to find major software bugs is growing 490% year on year

Fable 5 shares the same underlying architecture as Claude Mythos 5 — the restricted version shared with cybersecurity partners through Project Glasswing — but ships with classifiers that intercept sensitive queries and route them to Claude Opus 4.8 instead. The restricted categories include cybersecurity, biology, and chemistry, as well as attempts to distill the model's capabilities for use in competing systems.

Anthropic says fewer than five percent of sessions trigger a fallback, though it acknowledges the system is tuned conservatively and will occasionally flag benign requests.

How to try Claude Fable 5

Fable 5 is available today across all Claude plans and via the API using the model string claude-fable-5. It is priced at $10 per million input tokens and $50 per million output tokens — less than half the cost of Claude Mythos Preview. Subscription plan users get access at no extra cost through June 22, after which usage credits will be required.

Benchmarks

In agentic coding evaluations, Fable 5 outpaced GPT-5.5 and Claude Opus 4.8 by significant margins, according to Anthropic. The company's data shows that it even outperforms Claude Mythos on some key benchmarks.

Credit: Anthropic

In a blog post, Anthropic wrote that fintech company Stripe, which had early access to Fable 5, reported that the model completed a full migration of a 50-million-line Ruby codebase in a single day. Anthropic estimated that this work would have taken a full engineering team more than two months.

Fable 5, Mythos 5, and safety

The safety story here is genuinely complicated. Anthropic spent months warning that Mythos-class models were too dangerous for general release. As recently as May, the company publicly acknowledged that adequate safeguards didn't yet exist, per prior Mashable reporting.

Fable 5 is its answer to that problem, but the company's own disclosures suggest the solution is still a work in progress. An external bug bounty ran more than 1,000 hours of testing without producing a universal jailbreak — but the UK AI Safety Institute made early inroads toward one in a brief initial window. Anthropic frames that as acceptable risk. Others may disagree.

The Fable 5 system card states that the model has similar performance to Claude Opus 4.8 and other recent models on misaligned behaviors such as hallucination, dishonesty, and sycophancy.

You may already know that checking a project's status before you clone it with git is a good idea, but did you know there's a convenient and attractive way of showing those stats right in your terminal? Meet Onefetch.

NASA has named four astronauts to the next Artemis mission that will practice new maneuvers in space — crucial demonstrations of hardware intended to return humans to the moon's surface.

U.S. astronauts Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, and Commander Randy Bresnik will lead the Artemis III mission, along with European Space Agency pilot Luca Parmitano. The mission is expected to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as early as mid-2027. 

Just since February, NASA has rebuilt the Artemis III mission plan from the ground up, after a sharp course change in the moon program early this year. The space agency, under NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, now treats the flight as a fast‑tracked test in Earth orbit, rather than the United States' triumphant return to the lunar surface.

The revamped mission serves as a high-stakes dress rehearsal that aims to prove NASA and its partners can connect the Orion spacecraft and landers together in space. For the first time, NASA will coordinate a launch campaign involving multiple spacecraft. This one mission, expected to last about two weeks, will involve three separate rocket launches, two dockings in orbit, and one high-speed splashdown. 

"Think about how many spacecraft, all of which will eventually carry human beings, will be in orbit at the same time, from Dragon, Shenzhou, Soyuz, possibly Starliner, Starship, and Blue Origin landers," said Isaacman during a news conference in Houston on Tuesday. "This seems like the beginning of the future that we imagined as children. This seems like the very beginning of Earth's first Starfleet to me." 

SEE ALSO: The Milky Way's black hole may have formed this curious tunnel in space

Artemis II, which successfully looped around the moon this spring with a crew, checked out Orion's life‑support systems, navigation, and heat shield in deep space. 

But Artemis III shifts the focus from the lunar environment to space much closer to home. The new concept involves NASA launching four astronauts from Florida on the Space Launch System rocket, sending them into low-Earth orbit and having Orion dock with new commercially built landing vehicles from SpaceX and Blue Origin. Those landers will eventually function as taxis: They will carry crews down to the moon from Orion on later missions.

From left, Andre Douglas, European Space Agency pilot Luca Parmitano, Commander Randy Bresnik, and Frank Rubio will fly the Artemis III mission. Credit: NASA / Bill Stafford

Despite a massive setback for Blue Origin on May 28, NASA said both commercial partners will be part of the Artemis III mission. Blue Origin's 322-foot New Glenn rocket exploded in a fireball during a routine ground test. While the explosion ranked as one of the largest rocket test accidents in U.S. history, all personnel were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. 

But because the launchpad was completely destroyed, many speculated as to whether the company would be able to participate in the Artemis III orbital tests immediately after the disaster. 

"We recognize there are questions about how Blue Origin's recent anomaly impacts our plans," said Jeremy Parsons, Artemis' program manager. "NASA is stepping in and bringing all of our expertise and capabilities to bear. We are working hand-in-hand with them to meet our commitments to return our nation to the moon."

During Artemis III, engineers plan to run joint checks on air, power, propulsion, and communications, and study how the crew moves and works between vehicles. The flight will keep astronauts inside Orion longer than Artemis II, stress-test its life‑support systems more, try out new moon spacesuits, and use an upgraded heat shield on the capsule. 

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The overhaul responds to two key pressures: time and complexity. Isaacman has previously argued that the agency spent years and large sums on overly ambitious plans, allowing China, a major rival, to close the gap in deep space. China may land its first crewed mission on the moon before the United States does with the Artemis program. 

NASA now wants a simpler, repeatable setup for the mega moon rocket and spacecraft, with a more frequent launch tempo. The entire sequence of Artemis flights are intended as a step-by-step approach to make progress without undertaking too many uncertain risks. 

"There are many parts that need to come together for a space launch, and you need a launch pad, and for me that launch pad is my country, Italy," Parmitano said. "The rocket, figuratively and literally, is NASA. I'm grateful that NASA has allowed me to be part of this incredible group of people, of this crew, and for letting me fly."   

Artemis III Commander Randy Bresnik speaks at the crew announcement event at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston on June 9, 2026. Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP / Getty Images

Under the new plan, Artemis IV becomes the moon-landing mission, sending the first humans to the lunar south pole in 2028. Artemis V follows as a second surface mission that leans more toward routine stays and early moon-base construction. 

To support that shift, NASA has pressed SpaceX and Blue Origin to simplify their early lander flights, choose less demanding lunar orbits for the first landings, and fly at least one uncrewed touchdown before any astronaut steps onto the surface.        

As a symbolic gesture, Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman gave a baton to Artemis III Commander Bresnik at the announcement event. 

"While this may look like just a baton right now that's in my hand, it feels like this big, flaming Olympic torch that you — Reid, Christina, Victor, and Jeremy — lit, and the world was entranced by its flame," Bresnik said. "We, the Artemis III crew, are honored to be able to carry this torch forward, to be able to execute our mission, to make that flame burn brighter and pass it on." 

Audi is raising the bar in the luxury SUV segment with the all-new 2027 Q7 and SQ7. The third-generation Q7 combines the practicality of a three-row family SUV with the performance, technology, and refinement buyers expect from the four-ring brand.

What's the first piece of advice almost anyone will give you when your internet is down?

Google and Apple might be rivals outside of AI assistants, but they're on friendlier terms when it comes to self-driving cars. Waymo, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, has bought Apple's former autonomous vehicle proving ground in Wittman, Arizona for $220 million.

"The odds of being swallowed alive by a whale are not zero." This is the tagline from the movie I've been giddy about since I first discovered its logline while writing our 2026 movie preview.

As I wrote then, "OK. So of all the film movie plotlines I've researched in writing this list, this is my favorite for the sheer WTF of it all: Based on the novel by Daniel Kraus, Whalefall centers on a scuba diver (Austin Abrams) who is seeking his father's remains in the ocean when he is swallowed by a sperm whale, giving him only an hour to escape or die. See what I mean? If you want to add Kraus' novel to your library queue, join the club."

Now, 20th Century Studios has given us the first look at Whalefall. Directed by Brian Duffield (Spontaneous, No One will Save Us), this thriller had me at "swallowed by a whale." I love the ocean. I also fear it, some say because I saw Jaws too young. After so much watching of shark movies, I didn't know there could be new fears to unlock in the depths. But this trailer has done exactly that!

I'm seated, in 4DX. How about you?

Whalefall opens in 4DX and other large format theaters on Oct. 16.

Compact SUVs have become the default choice for millions of buyers, but as prices continue to climb, many mainstream models are starting to overlap with used luxury alternatives. For the same money as a brand-new family crossover, shoppers can now find lightly used premium SUVs that offer stronger performance, higher-quality interiors, and a far more engaging driving experience.

I have been an on-again, off-again open source purist over the years, and that has meant using a lot of Linux—but desktop Linux is not the only option for those of us who like software to be "free as in freedom," regardless of whether you are looking for a phone OS, an alternative desktop, or just a bit of amusement.

Apple is finally giving iPhone users the ability to adjust their ringtone, alarm, and alert volumes independently — a feature Android has offered for years, according to Android Authority.

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For users with access to the iOS 27 developer beta, the controls live in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, where users can also toggle "Match Ringtone Volume" to unlock separate sliders for alarms and system alerts. Android Authority notes that the alarm slider won't affect the Wake-Up alarm, which is managed separately through Bedtime settings. Users who prefer a single unified slider can keep the toggle on.

SEE ALSO: Siri Mode coming to the iPhone Camera app

The addition is a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement that iPhone users have wanted for years, and one that arrives quietly. Apple made no mention of it during Monday's WWDC 26 keynote, which was dominated by the unveiling of Siri AI, sweeping Apple Intelligence updates across core apps, and a revamped Photos AI editing suite.

iOS 27 is currently available to developers for testing, with a public beta expected next month. The full release is slated for this fall and will be compatible with devices as far back as the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation), though some AI features will be limited to newer phones.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

OpenAI has officially filed for an IPO, setting the stage for a blockbuster year of IPOs, as both SpaceX and Anthropic are also going public

On Monday, OpenAI published a statement on its website announcing that it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering, or IPO, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"We recently submitted a confidential S-1," OpenAI said. "We expect it to leak so we’re just announcing it."

OpenAI did not share any specific details regarding the terms or size of the IPO. However, the company did explicitly address the timing of the IPO, in that there is no timeline for when OpenAI plans to go public.

"We have not decided on timing yet; it may be a while because there are things we want to do that are likely easier as a private company," reads OpenAI's statement. "But it’s a complicated set of tradeoffs and this gives us the option to go public sooner if that ends up being best."

While the company isn't sharing much, it's been previously reported by Reuters that OpenAI is eyeing an IPO as early as September at a valuation of $1 trillion.

While OpenAI may be seen as the AI industry leader, one of its biggest competitors, Anthropic, beat the company to the punch with its own IPO plans. Anthropic announced last week that it filed to go public with the SEC. Like OpenAI, Anthropic has not yet shared any details regarding share price or timing.

Anthropic's own IPO filing statement came just days after the company announced a fundraising round that valued the company at $965 billion, more than OpenAI's $852 billion. Anthropic also shared revenue numbers that surpassed OpenAI's reported revenue.

OpenAI and Anthropic are far and away the most valuable privately held AI companies in the world, along with xAI, which recently merged with SpaceX. However, once OpenAI and Anthropic go public, they will find themselves multiple trillions of dollars behind tech giants within the AI industry like Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Early Prime Day outdoor deals at a glance: Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799.99 at Amazon (save $699.01) Get Deal Best cooler deal Coleman Classic Cooler (100-quart, twilight) $87.99 at Amazon (save $22) Get Deal Best solar lights deal Govee Outdoor Solar String Lights (33 feet) $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Ecovacs Goat 01000 RTK $699 (save $300.01) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $159.99 at Amazon (save $39.96) Get Deal Best fire pit deal Solo Stove Mesa XL $81.99 (save $18) Get Deal Best campsite deal Yellow Leaf Hammocks Adventure Parachute $39 at Amazon (save $13 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best outdoor grill deal Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Outdoor Grill and Smoker $399.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best mosquito repellent deal Thermacell E-Series Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller $43.99 (save $11) Get Deal

Welcome to the season of summer fun. The scheudle is getting crowded with camping, trips to the lake, barbecues, the neighborhood block party, and the kids heading off to summer camp. If you recently went through your outdoor gear and noticed some items should head to the garbage, it's time for a refresh.

Like every year, Amazon Prime Day is an ideal opportunity to snag fresh outdoor gear. Plus, moving Prime Day to the end of June this year means we'll have even more time to enjoy the new gear before the weather turns cold.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's early Prime Day deals include some great options for Father's Day

Prime Day doesn't kick off until June 23, but Amazon already has excellent options for outdoorsy folks. Snag some early deals and you can browse the sale with your feet kicked up on a new cooler in the backyard while playing tunes on your new outdoor speaker and admiring your new backyard solar lights.

Here are the best early Prime Day outdoor deals to shop today.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $699.01   Get Deal Why we like it

After testing dozens of portable power stations, the Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is the model I take on every camping trip. I like to slightly overestimate my power needs while camping (what if I decide to stay an extra night?), so I prefer the 2,048Wh offered by the C2000 Gen 2.

Anker made this as lightweight as possible and despite landing in 2k Wh category, it only weighs about 42 pounds. That'll be a manageable weight for camping trips where the campsite is near the car. It's also perfect for powering up the outdoor projector in the backyard for movie nights this summer.

Summer is slowly kicking in, which calls for a fresh list of exciting new shows and movies to stream in June. With Netflix's release slate for the month, you will not run out of new content to watch for a while. From returning shows to exclusive movies, the schedule is jam-packed.

The best early Prime Day deals under $100 Best Tech Deal Under $100 Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones $87.95 (Save $92.04) Get Deal Best Kitchen Deal Under $100 Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook Air Fryer $89.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Home Deal Under $100 Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner $86.65 (Save $13.34) Get Deal

There are already plenty of reasons to start shopping at Amazon, thanks to a slew of early Prime Day deals rolling out ahead of the main event. Plenty of categories are seeing fantastic markdowns and some real steals, and we've been keeping a close watch on the biggest standouts. The official Prime Day kickoff is just a couple of weeks away, so consider this your head start to get shopping.

A surprising number of these early deals are clocking in at just under $100. Items like these Sony WH-CH720N headphones, for example, are an absolute must for under $100, as are many of the other gems we've uncovered thus far. You'll also find deals on kitchen appliances, home and cleaning goods, and more.

Keep scrolling to have a look through the best early Prime Day deals under $100 on Amazon right now.

Best tech deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones $179.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

These excellent over-ear headphones are one of our favorite pairs thanks to their near-flagship sound quality, impressive noise cancellation, and lengthy battery life. Not only do they sound fantastic when you're listening to your favorite album, but they're comfortable, lightweight (despite not being foldable) and perfect for taking all your calls and meetings as well. If you're looking to invest in great headphones that take you from morning check-ins at work to bopping to all your playlists at night, these are a steal for under $100.

Best kitchen deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook Air Fryer $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Why we like it

This air fryer will quickly become a staple in your kitchen, especially since it's efficient, preheats quickly, and has plenty of room in its 6-quart basket to cook a meal for the entire family. It can get dinner out on the table in record time, save you money and time, and provide a bit of a healthier way to cook some of your favorite dishes. And with its six unique cooking functions, you can do everything from air fry to roast, with a visible window that lets you check on the food without having to open the basket and let the heat out.

Best home deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner $86.65 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $13.34   Get Deal Why we like it

This lightweight portable carpet and upholstery cleaner can go anywhere you do. It's perfect for handling tough stains on everything from your carpets to your couches and all those stubborn places in between, including your car. Its 4-inch Tough Stain Tool is perfect for handling even the most frustrating, ground-in messes, and if you have pets, it's essentially a godsend for making it look like, to the outside world, they don't exist. And with its small size, it's easily stored until you need it again.

More deals under $100

• Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker — $85 $129.99 (save $44.99)

• Hydro Flask water bottle — $35 $37 (save $2)

• Ember Smart Mug — $84.47 $129.95 (save $45.48)

• Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — $23.99 $34.99 (save $11)

• JBL Go 3 — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• Anker Soundcore 2 — $29.99 $44.99 (save $15)

• JBL Go 4 — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)

• TempPro digital meat thermometer — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)

• Indoor Garden hydroponics growing system — $56.99 $59.99 (save $3)

• Google TV Streamer — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Hoto Laser Measuring Tool — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• SKIL Corded Multi-Function Detail Sander — $39.99 $44.99 (save $5)

• Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)

• Etekcity Smart Scale — $63.99 $79.99 (save $16)

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $89.99 $109.99 (save $20)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)

Mesh Wi-Fi systems are marketed as the ultimate solution for seamless wireless coverage. By letting multiple intelligent nodes work together, they promise to eliminate dead zones while maintaining incredible speeds across a home. However, in a small apartment, this added complexity can actually hurt performance rather than improve it. Allow me to explain.

Steven Spielberg is likely the most iconic American filmmaker living today. He's gifted audiences with the Indiana Jones movies, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, and Jurassic Park. Now, with Disclosure Day, he may have made his most Spielberg movie yet — yes, even more Spielberg than his thinly veiled autobiography The Fabelmans. 

With Disclosure Day, I experienced the distinctive thrill of watching a master filmmaker do what he does best. The film, which focuses on a band of people's struggle to release secret information about extraterrestrial contact on Earth, is a dizzying mix of action, humor, adventure, sci-fi, and wonder. Naturally, I laughed, cried, and gasped. But more than that, Disclosure Day made me feel like I better understand the whole of Spielberg's work, and him as a person. 

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer movie preview: Every film you need to know about now What's Disclosure Day about?  Josh O'Connor plays mathematician Daniel Kellner. Credit: Niko Tavernise / Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

The answer might sound dry: a power struggle at a military-industrial corporation called Wardex risks exposing the truth about extraterrestrial life to the wide world, which is on the brink of nuclear war (again). However, in the hands of Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Death Becomes Her, Presence) this is not a dry tale of corporate espionage and stiff whistleblowers. For one thing, it begins with us, their audience, getting stomped in the face. 

Disclosure Day unexpectedly opens in the middle of a vicious grudge match between two bulky pro-wrestlers. And the POV-shot that kicks things off is under the foot of one as he trounces on the face of another. From the start, Disclosure Day is about conflict.

However, as the view of this arena pulls back — exiting the thrashed fighter's perspective — we see our hero in the stands. A meek figure sitting among roaring fans, American mathematician Daniel Kellner (Challengers' Josh O'Connor) is silent and stressed. 

Colin Firth is Wardex head Noah Scanlon. Credit: Niko Tavernise/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Swiftly, Disclosure Day reveals he's on the run from Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth) the head of Wardex, because Daniel's backpack contains 78 years of documentation of UFO sightings, alien crash landings, and testing on live survivors. He and a small group of defectors led by a dashing Colman Domingo, wish to reveal this news to the world, believing that the truth is our right. But Scanlon and his army of gun-toting minions believe the world can't handle the truth. 

Into this struggle, others will be pulled in, by fate or chance. Daniel's Catholic girlfriend Jane (a wide-eyed Eve Hewson) is used as an emotional pawn by Scanlon, forcing the couple to go to unusual lengths to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, far off in Kansas City, Missouri, a weather presenter named Margaret Fairchild (a multi-faceted Emily Blunt) has begun speaking in other languages and psychically understanding those around her, all because a bird flew into her exposed-brick loft apartment. Her musician boyfriend Jackson (Thunderbolts*' Wyatt Russell) is understandably perplexed. Especially as she insists — in an urgent whisper — they must evade the men in suits who claim they're from the FBI. 

In a rollicking road trip full of action set pieces, sci-fi spookiness, and deeply humane bits of comedy, Margaret and Daniel will come together and fight for not just the future of humanity, but also humanity's understanding of the universe.

Disclosure Day is about the battle between fear and empathy.  Daniel (Josh O'Connor) and Margaret (Emily Blunt) are on the side of empathy. Credit: Niko Tavernise / Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Snarling and deeply British, Firth feels almost a vintage villain, dusted off from so many '80s action movies. Cheers to the actor best-known for romances like Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Love Actually, he's pretty damn intimidating as a man who has little faith in mankind. In sneering speeches, Scanlon demands that Daniel understand that people are ruled by fear. Secrets are essential to maintaining societal peace. 

Other arguments are offered across Disclosure Day about why humans might not be ready to understand we're not the center of the universe or even God's creation. But Koepp's dialogue — always rooted in a place of earnest understanding — pushes back with compassion. Daniel, Margaret, and their band of rebels believe in empathy over fear. 

And through this lens, every character's motivations become clear. And frankly, a clear distinction across heroes and villains in Spielberg's filmography. Villains choose fear; heroes choose empathy. In Disclosure Day, Scanlon fears a world where he cannot be in control, in this case of the secrets of the universe. He argues that others will fear these aliens, who do not look like us or speak our language. But their first message to us? "Don't be afraid of what you don't know." 

Emily Blunt plays weather reporter Margaret Fairchild. Credit: Niko Tavernise / Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

This becomes the plea of Disclosure Day. Not just as we consider what could (and likely does) exist beyond our planet, but in how we consider each other. Empathy is presented not just as a virtue but also as a crucial tool of evolution. If we can overcome our own fears and dare to empathize with those we don't see as like us, what might we achieve? 

The final act explores this in a way that bristled with my suspension of disbelief. Bear with me.

Featured Video For You Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser talk 'Pressure' and competency porn Disclosure Day offers out-of-this-world spectacle and one of the most thrilling action sequences of 2026.  Steven Spielberg embraces action here. Credit: Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Disclosure Day functions like a companion piece to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Like Spielberg's 1977 film, the story of alien life's existence focuses on how two average white Americans, one male and one female, comprehend it. But more importantly, the production design and creature design of that classic film carry over here, suggesting a narrative continuum without any characters in common. 

What sets Disclosure Day apart is that Spielberg embraces action here. While Daniel and Margaret aren't soldiers, they face off against plenty. That means car chase scenes, fleeing gunfire, stand-offs over alien tech, and one particular chase scene involving a train. The latter was so tense I held my breath, only letting it out to scream in excitement. 

All of this to say, Spielberg had me deeply hooked. I believed in this world, and in these people. In particular because Disclosure Day — in its runtime of two hours and 25 minutes — remembers to take time to establish its heroes through simple, almost mundane actions. In Jaws, it's the scene where Chief Brody plays a simple game of mimicry with his young son over the dinner table. We understand him not as some invincible action star, but a dad who has to do something outrageously risky to protect his family and his home. 

Steven Spielberg on the set of "Disclosure Day." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

In Disclosure Day, this scene is about smashing a cellphone for security. It's a trope in a bunch of espionage movies, typically executed with a casualness that befits a smooth secret agent. But when Margaret gets a call from a stranger who warns her to destroy her cell, she reacts to it with the expertise of a weather reporter. She tosses her phone out the window and directs her baffled boyfriend (Russell is hilarious in this role) to run it over. He tries and fails, leading to some couples bickering that is relatable, but also brilliantly funny because they are fumbling their escape in this awkwardness! 

Which brings me back to the film's final act. Like with Jaws, I wanted to be so hooked by Spielberg's storytelling that I never questioned if a shark even can be blown up that way. But the final act of Disclosure Day isn't asking me to excuse movie science silliness. It's asking me to trust that in a time of crisis, humanity will choose empathy over fear. And while I relished watching Margaret and Daniel's collaboration toward their hard-fought disclosure day, I realized to my own ache that my suspension of disbelief rattled because I don't trust that things would play out as they did. I wish I did. I wish life were like a Spielberg movie. 

On its surface, Disclosure Day is about aliens. But beneath that, it's about us — or more specifically, how Spielberg sees humanity itself. And while he has more faith in us than I do, I hope he's right. 

Disclosure Day opens in theaters June 12. 

Home Assistant has two main software solutions for connecting your Zigbee smart home devices. Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) is the native integration built directly into Home Assistant. Zigbee2MQTT is an independent, open-source project supported by a community of contributors. While ZHA is easy to use, there are plenty of reasons why Zigbee2MQTT is my Zigbee solution of choice.