"Dead Calm" has an 83% "fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews, albeit significantly lower with audiences, culminating in a score of 63% "fresh" and a critical rating of 7.54/10. According to "Variety", Kidman is "excellent throughout, ... the character of Rae real tenacity and energy;" and the picture is "handsomely produced and inventively directed." Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" wrote that the film "generates genuine tension." Desson Howe of "The Washington Post" praised the film's creators: "Noyce's direction moves impressively from sensual tenderness (between husband and wife) to edge-of-the-seat horror. With accomplished editing by Richard Francis-Bruce and scoring by Graeme Revell, he finds lurking dangers in quiet, peaceful waters."