Movies
Steven Spielberg never told Courtney Grace, who plays “NBC Anchor,” that she was filming the movie’s big finale.
June 17, 2026 6:09 PM
Courtney Grace in Disclosure Day .
Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
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This article contains spoilers for the ending of Disclosure Day .
At the end of Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day , our heroes finally get around to, well, some disclosing. Having been chased by an army of shadowy government contractors trying to stop them from revealing the truth about alien life, a group of whistleblowers (Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colman Domingo) are at last able to broadcast decades of top-secret footage to a stunned world. But the scene only really works thanks to a performance from an unlikely character: an unnamed TV news anchor tasked with covering, and reacting to, the extraordinary revelations in real time, both as a journalist and as a human being.
The role, credited simply as “NBC Anchor,” is played by Courtney Grace, a performer who officially made the switch to acting just three years ago, after working as an actual TV reporter. Grace’s news background assists with her unexpectedly moving performance, which carries a great degree of verisimilitude as she juggles the breaking news, transitioning from one major story about escalating conflict on the Korean peninsula that has the potential to devolve into World War III to something even more historic.
We often see these kinds of broadcaster characters in films, but they typically exist solely to provide exposition. What feels rarer is to see such a character, especially one played by a largely unknown actor, actually become the chief emotional barometer for a film’s climax. Grace’s character has to move between confusion and shock, distress and confoundment, awe and terror, until she ultimately becomes overwhelmed by the ramifications of this event for her species and sobs on air. She’s an avatar for those watching the broadcast and those watching Spielberg’s film. “If you are watching this,” she says through tears, “you are not alone.”
Though she’s a newcomer whose name is listed deep in the movie’s credits, Grace has been repeatedly singled out online for her performance. On X, one post with thousands of likes and retweets notes that she “ absolutely sold everything this scene required ,” while a TikTok with hundreds of thousands of views describes her as “stealing” the movie . “Her performance is extremely precise and exacting, carrying the weight of being human and the unbiased professionalism of a national news anchor,” writes one critic on Threads . “She nailed it.”
I spoke with Grace about the life-altering week she’s had since the movie premiered, how her years as a journalist prepared her for the role, and the one thing she’s glad Spielberg never told her during filming. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
David Mack: Congratulations on what appears to be a real breakout role for you! What has the past week been like since the film came out?
Courtney Grace: Oh my goodness, I don’t know how to really put it into words. I went to sleep one night, and I woke up to a very different world. The outpouring of people’s kindness toward me, toward the work, toward the project has really meant the world to me. It’s overwhelming.
What’s so interesting is that I wasn’t sure where my scene was going to live in the film when I watched it for the first time. I was taking a little mental note so I could tell my family and friends, like, “OK, I’m 10 minutes in, or 30 minutes in.” And the movie starts, and 10 minutes goes by, 30 minutes goes by, 45 minutes, an hour, an hour and a half. I went, Oh my gosh, Steven Spielberg! I can’t believe you trusted me with this! I was shaking in my chair because I was so overcome with shock and disbelief and so much gratitude.
You weren’t worried you’d been cut?
He did say to me on set, “You’re going to be in the movie!” I didn’t know what that meant at the time, and watching it, I was like, Oh, wow. So that’s what he meant!
So you had the script only for your scene? You didn’t know where it was going to fall in the movie when you shot it?
Correct. Yes, I didn’t have the full script. I had my two-page monologue.
How surreal does it feel to have your breakout be for a character with a job that you used to do yourself?
It’s like coming home, in a way. I never thought in my wildest dreams that all of my experiences from that season of my life would equip me for the season that I’m in right now. I think it’s just an important message to myself and to other people that we never know how the experiences we’re having right now are leading us and guiding us and preparing us for the next chapter.
Tell me about that chapter of your life. What was it like working in news?
I started in college, and I did it off and on for seven and…
Read the full article at Slate →📄Source document: BoxOfficeMojo.com→6 reports
SlateIndependentCenter3 days agoIn Steven Spielberg's film 'Disclosure Day,' the climactic scene is highlighted by the performance of an unknown actor, Courtney Grace, who portrays an NBC Anchor. The article discusses how Grace's real-world experience as a TV reporter contributed to the authenticity of her portrayal during the film's pivotal moment.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral review of a film's climactic scene, focusing on the performance of an actor and her background. There is no evident political framing or bias in the content.
SlateIndependentCenter4 days ago It’s <em>Disclosure Day </em>for the Final Culture Gabfest Summer StrutThis article discusses the final Culture Gabfest Summer Strut episode featuring Steve, Dana, and Julia discussing various cultural topics. They analyze Steven Spielberg's new film 'Disclosure Day,' review Isaac Butler's new book, and reflect on past Summer Strut episodes with guest Chris Molanphy. The piece also mentions additional content available for Slate Plus subscribers.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a summary of a cultural discussion without taking a stance on any political issues. It focuses on entertainment and cultural commentary, which are generally non-political in nature.
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter6 days agoSteven Spielberg's film 'Disclosure Day' opened at number one at the box office in North America with $44 million in earnings over the weekend, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. Other top films include 'Obsession,' 'Scary Movie,' 'Backrooms,' and 'Masters of the Universe.'
Bias read (Center): The article reports on box office results without any political commentary, framing, or bias. It simply lists the performance of various movies without taking a stance or emphasizing any particular political angle.
ReasonIndependentCenter9 days agoThe article discusses Steven Spielberg's film 'Disclosure Day,' comparing it to internet memes and the 'ancient aliens' theory popularized by the History Channel. It notes that while the film's plot involves aliens existing since the 1940s and a government cover-up, these elements are revealed early in the movie. The focus is on the narrative structure and how it aligns with familiar tropes.
Bias read (Center): The article provides an analytical overview of the film without taking a clear ideological stance. It critiques the film's reliance on familiar tropes and compares it to internet culture, but does not exhibit overt bias toward any political perspective.
The Daily WireIndependentCenter9 days agoSteven Spielberg's new film 'Disclosure Day' has received mixed reactions from audiences and critics. While the film was not intended to be a comedy, many viewers found it humorous, leading to negative feedback on social media. Some viewers were drawn to the film due to rumors that it challenged Christian beliefs, but they were disappointed by its quality and predictability.
Bias read (Center): The article presents audience and critic reactions without overtly favoring any perspective. It reports on viewer opinions and does not take a stance on the film's content or its alleged impact on religious beliefs. The tone remains neutral, focusing on public reception rather than endorsing or crit
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter13 days ago Watch: Steven Spielberg Says ‘Disclosure Day’ Will Leave Christians Questioning Their Faith in GodSteven Spielberg discusses his new film 'Disclosure Day,' which explores the concept of a global release of classified information about extraterrestrial life. In an interview with CBS News, Spielberg suggests that such a revelation could challenge human beliefs in a supreme being, including Christianity.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Spielberg's comments on his film and its thematic elements without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on cultural and philosophical implications rather than political ideology.
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