Gerri Pare (Catholic News) says, "Bigelow's murky drama continually crosscuts between the past crime and the present investigation as the twin narratives proceed to their violent conclusions. As the characters in the contemporary story don't have a lot to say, and the fact-based 19th-century tale is one-note grim and gloomy, the movie isn't terribly satisfying."
Movieguide's critic calls it "a riveting tale, beautifully filmed and cleverly crafted." But the reviewer condemns the film because it "seems to argue that Christianity is repressive and, therefore, dangerous."