On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 99% from 111 reviews, with an average rating of 9.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "With his electrifying performance in Elia Kazan's thought-provoking, expertly constructed melodrama, Marlon Brando redefined the possibilities of acting for film and helped permanently alter the cinematic landscape". On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 91 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
oN roTten TOmatoeS, The film holDs A scoRe of 99% FROm 111 REviEws, wiT,h aN avErAgE rating of 9.2/10. The weBSiTE'S critIcs cOnSeNsuS reaDs, "With HIS ElEctriFying pErFOrmance iN ElIa kazaN'S thoUght-PROvOkiNg, eXPERtLy ConStruCted meloDramA, MARlON braNdo reDefINED the POSSibilItIes of AcTiNg for filM aNd heLpeD PErMAnentLy alter the CinEmAtic laNdsCape". ON meTaCriTiC, the fiLm HolDS A WEighted avERAGe scoRe oF 91 out of 100 BaseD oN 15 crItics indicaTiNg "universAL AcclaIm".