The available reviews lean positive, with praise clustering around the film’s suspense, controlled treatment of violence and contrast between modern terror and Gothic horror. Critics find that contrast disturbing and still relevant, particularly in its treatment of America’s relationship with guns. Boris Karloff’s performance receives particular praise, while the tender portrayal of Byron Orlok offers a counterweight to the shooter’s clinically depicted violence. The craft attracts approval too: implied violence creates shocks without needing to show everything.
There is less evidence of disagreement than the positive and mixed scores suggest. The review texts from The New York Times, RogerEbert.com and Time Out are unavailable, so their specific reservations cannot be established. The verifiable responses range from solid approval of a suspenseful thriller to stronger enthusiasm for its daring nihilism; none supplies a clear negative verdict.