Cinema's New Wave of Conspiracy Thrillers: From Spielberg to Backrooms

Cinemas are experiencing an influx of films centered around conspiracy themes, reminiscent of the paranoid thrillers from the 1970s. Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' features Josh O'Connor as a whistleblower revealing a government cover-up regarding aliens, with Spielberg endorsing its credibility in the trailer. Other significant films include 'Bugonia' by Yorgos Lanthimos, where wealthy individuals are actual aliens; Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite', exploring neighbors' sexual preferences; Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine', starring Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich as CIA agents on Easter Island; and Ari Aster's 'Eddington', with Joaquin Phoenix portraying an anti-mask libertarian sheriff. Kane Parsons's 'Backrooms' follows a furniture salesman (Chiwetel Ejiofor) into an enigmatic maze. This trend reflects a cultural moment, as a 2024 YouGov survey revealed that 18% of Americans think the moon landing was staged, 20% believe Covid vaccines have microchips, and 29% suspect voting machines were rigged in 2020. A CHIP50 study indicates that 78.6% of US citizens subscribe to at least one conspiracy theory. The article highlights that Donald Trump's anti-deep state rhetoric aligns with these themes, and the release of 'Disclosure Day' coincided with Trump's declassification of UFO documents, although Spielberg denied any coordination. These films create a sense of order and control, appealing to public skepticism and the quest for hidden truths.