Most critics respond warmly to Diva, with praise concentrated on its visual invention and its mixture of thriller and romance. The reviews repeatedly single out the camerawork, inventive chases and elaborate décor, finding pleasure in a colourful Paris that accommodates both crime and fantasy. Music and editing also draw praise, while several critics credit Beineix with keeping the elaborate plotting lively and the romance engaging.
The disagreement concerns how much the film offers beyond those pleasures, and the spread runs from strong enthusiasm to outright rejection. More qualified admirers enjoy the technique but question the film’s substance and lasting impression. The AV Club finds the glossy aesthetic clichéd and the plot thin beneath its complications, though the cinematography and music still work. The New York Times supplies the lone negative verdict, finding the chic presentation empty and the humour too pleased with itself.