In "A Girl and a Gun: The Complete Guide to Film Noir", David N. Meyer says: "Though the plot may not make a whole lot of sense the first time around—and the thick European accents of a couple of the major actors doesn't help—"The American Friend" is worth the effort. Few movies from any era or genre offer such rich characters, realistic human relationships, gripping action sequences, or sly humor." In "Out of the Past: Adventures in Film Noir", Barry Gifford writes, "Of all the 'homage' films made since the 1940s and '50s meant to evoke noir, "The American Friend" succeeds more than most because of the spaces, the sputters, and sudden shifts of energy that allow the characters to achieve veracity."