In a retrospective review, Alex McLevy of "The A.V. Club" wrote that the film's "narrative is pedestrian as hell, but damn, the execution. The movie manages to luck into that ideal combination of over-the-top bloodshed, gratuitous nudity (of both male and female types, though the latter is, as expected, the mainstage show), and unintentional absurdity for which enthusiasts of the genre are perpetually on the hunt." Bill Gibron of "PopMatters" wrote of the film: "Thanks to VHS and the thriving home video market, the sleazoid shocker became an instant cult classic...  "Pieces" is the kind of fright film that sneaks up on you. It is really nothing more than your standard slasher effort with a chainsaw doing all the slice and dice (well, there are a couple of knife kills thrown in for good massacre measure)."