Disclosure (1994)

Last updated:
July 8, 2025

Disclosure is a provocative 1994 techno-thriller based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name. Directed by Barry Levinson, it dives into themes of sexual harassment, corporate politics, gender power dynamics, and emerging technology in the workplace—all wrapped in a suspenseful legal thriller format. It was controversial at the time of release and remains relevant today for its gender-reversed take on workplace misconduct.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Tom Sanders’ Career Path

Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) is a highly skilled executive at the high-tech firm DigiCom. He expects a major promotion in a new company merger. However, his expectations are shattered when Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore)—his former lover—is unexpectedly appointed to the position instead.

Tom is blindsided, but the situation quickly escalates when he is summoned to a private meeting with Meredith that turns sexually aggressive.

The Harassment Incident

In a pivotal and disturbing scene, Meredith attempts to rekindle her old relationship with Tom. When he rejects her advances, she becomes physically aggressive. Tom narrowly escapes and reports the incident, but Meredith turns the tables and accuses him of sexual harassment.

Now facing a potential firing, public humiliation, and legal trouble, Tom finds himself in the ultimate reversal of traditional harassment narratives—he’s the victim, and no one believes him.

Legal Strategy and Corporate Intrigue

Tom hires attorney Catherine Alvarez (Roma Maffia), who pushes him to file a formal complaint against Meredith. As he navigates HR hearings and mounting internal pressure, the real stakes become clear: the sexual harassment claim is not just about misconduct—it’s being used to force him out of the company as part of a broader power play connected to the company’s upcoming merger.

Meanwhile, Tom suspects that Meredith is not only trying to discredit him, but may also be covering up a serious product defect in DigiCom’s new line of hardware, which is key to the merger’s success.

Virtual Reality Files and Revelation

In a cutting-edge sequence (for the ’90s), Tom uses DigiCom’s prototype virtual reality database to uncover hidden files. In the VR system, he discovers deleted emails and files that show Meredith knew about the defective drive before her promotion, which could implicate her in corporate fraud.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Tom leverages the VR system and corporate records to expose Meredith’s misconduct, not just in terms of sexual harassment, but also her knowledge of the faulty technology. In a high-stakes boardroom showdown, Tom lays out his findings in front of company executives and the board.

Meredith attempts to deny everything but is ultimately caught in her lies when the hidden files and email threads are presented. She’s fired and discredited, and the company’s legal team is forced to drop their case against Tom.

Tom, though vindicated, is not promoted. In fact, the promotion goes to another colleague—highlighting one of the film’s major themes: in corporate America, truth doesn’t always translate into reward. The system protects its own, and sometimes justice comes at a personal cost.

The film ends with Tom walking away, still employed, but fully aware of how close he came to being destroyed. The corporate game may be over for now, but the battle scars remain.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Disclosure. The story concludes before the credits roll, with no additional footage or hints at continuation.

Type of Movie

Disclosure is a techno-thriller / legal drama, with elements of corporate suspense, sexual politics, and psychological warfare. It blends legal procedural with cutting-edge (for the time) tech intrigue.

Cast

Michael Douglas as Tom Sanders
Demi Moore as Meredith Johnson
Donald Sutherland as Bob Garvin
Caroline Goodall as Susan Sanders
Roma Maffia as Catherine Alvarez
Dylan Baker as Philip Blackburn
Dennis Miller as Mark Lewyn
Rosemary Forsyth as Stephanie Kaplan

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Ennio Morricone, the legendary Italian composer best known for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. His score for Disclosure is subtle and suspenseful, enhancing the tension without overwhelming the drama.

Filming Locations

Seattle, Washington: The city’s high-tech and corporate vibe matched the setting of DigiCom perfectly. The building used as DigiCom headquarters is the Smith Tower.
San Francisco, California: Some exterior shots were filmed here, contributing to the film’s tech-industry atmosphere.
Sound stages in Los Angeles: Many interior office scenes were shot on sets.

The use of Seattle as a location emphasizes the film’s focus on the 1990s tech boom and the culture of high-powered software companies.

Awards and Nominations

Disclosure was not a major awards contender, but it was nominated for several minor awards:

MTV Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Villain (Demi Moore)
BMI Film & TV Awards: Won for Film Music (Ennio Morricone)

Despite its controversial themes, the film was a box office success, grossing over $200 million worldwide.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Michael Crichton wrote the novel with a deliberate gender-reversal to challenge assumptions about sexual harassment.
Demi Moore said the role was emotionally intense, as she had to balance power, sexuality, and menace.
The virtual reality scenes were groundbreaking for the time and inspired by Crichton’s fascination with emerging tech.
Barry Levinson and Michael Douglas worked together previously on Disclosure’s tonal cousin, Fatal Attraction.

Inspirations and References

Based directly on the 1994 novel by Michael Crichton.
Influenced by real-world conversations around Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas, which brought workplace sexual harassment into national headlines.
The film also reflects Crichton’s ongoing interest in corporate structures, legal systems, and technological ethics.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate endings have been officially released, but early scripts reportedly included:

A version where Tom is demoted rather than retained.
More extended scenes involving the virtual reality interface, which were trimmed due to pacing issues.

Several office scenes were deleted to streamline the corporate subplot and reduce runtime.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is faithful to the main plot of the book but omits deeper dives into corporate backstabbing and family subplots.
The book includes more detail about the development of VR and DigiCom’s culture.
Tom’s internal monologue is prominent in the novel, providing a clearer view of his mental and emotional state—something the film leaves more ambiguous.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Meredith’s seduction/assault in her office.
Tom entering the virtual reality archive to uncover evidence.
The boardroom confrontation where Tom turns the tables.
Susan Sanders confronting Tom about the harassment allegations.

Iconic Quotes

Meredith Johnson: “Don’t flatter yourself, Tom. It was just sex.”
Tom Sanders: “I didn’t harass anybody. I was harassed!”
Catherine Alvarez: “Sexual harassment is about power. When did she have the power?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The DigiCom interface was loosely inspired by real 3D VR concepts being explored at Silicon Graphics (SGI) at the time.
Tom’s VR journey through files is meant to mirror Dante’s descent into hell, according to Barry Levinson.
The glass-walled offices represent how privacy is an illusion in corporate America.

Trivia

This was one of the first major films to depict a man as the victim of sexual harassment.
Ennio Morricone composed the score in under a month.
Demi Moore’s wardrobe and styling were intentionally sharp and masculine to reflect Meredith’s dominance.
The film was released during a wave of Crichton adaptations (Jurassic Park, Congo, The Lost World).

Why Watch?

If you’re interested in power plays, legal thrillers, and corporate warfare, Disclosure offers a fresh (and still rare) gender-reversed narrative. It challenges assumptions, provides thought-provoking commentary on sexual politics, and combines that with sleek ‘90s corporate style and technology.

Director’s Other Movies

Recommended Films for Fans

Fatal Attraction (1987)
Basic Instinct (1992)
The Firm (1993)
Michael Clayton (2007)
The Insider (1999)
Erin Brockovich (2000)

Disclosure (1994)