Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter called it "chillingly effective", generally praising the effects and the film's "claustrophobic intensity".

GameSpot echoed this praise, saying that the "vision of a dystopian police state is chillingly effective".

William Friedkin's chillingly effective "Rampage" begins with the sight of a killer preparing to commit his crimes.

It is a small film, but a chillingly effective one.

The prevailing effect is emotional menace in a "small film, but a chillingly effective one" (James).

Time Magazine called it "an extraordinary novel...chillingly effective."

Mr. Weber, shucking the light comedy of sitcom, is chillingly effective as a man battling his own personal demons.

Rasmussen also noted "Cop is completely absorbing because of Woods' chillingly effective performance.

"Haunting Julia's blend of the paranormal and the psychological is chillingly effective."

With the miners, Iliescu again demonstrated how, if you provide such men with just a little bit more food and self-confidence, they make a chillingly effective praetorian guard.