Some critics feel the story is "compressed" and follows a conventional crime-thriller structure that doesn't always suit the complexity of the true events. The focus on Captain Joseph Piller (Claes Bang) is sometimes seen as less interesting than the enigmatic Van Meegeren himself. Viewer Experiences

“I totally enjoyed this movie, partially because I have a MA's degree in art history and for the larger part, it is based on a true story.” Rotten Tomatoes

Beyond the trial, the film explores "murky points" about moral ambiguity and what it means to conform to fascist regimes to survive. It also questions how art is valued and who gets to decide its worth.

Reviewers generally highlight the following strengths and weaknesses of the film: