Most critics respond warmly to Gilda, with praise clustering around Rita Hayworth’s screen presence and the erotic tension between the characters. Her introduction and musical performance draw particular attention, while even the less enthusiastic reviews find her a compelling central attraction. The cinematography also earns praise, with reviews of restored versions noting how the shadows alter the impression of the film’s glossy visual style. Its suggestive innuendo and unsettling postwar atmosphere provide further sources of interest.
The disagreement centres on how much the surrounding film supports Hayworth. Empire finds an overwrought muddle, though it remains entertaining and her presence provides a saving grace. Variety is more resistant, describing the plotting as trite and far-fetched and the direction as static, while still praising Hayworth. The spread therefore runs from strong enthusiasm to qualified enjoyment, with no wholly negative assessment among these seven reviews.