Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" gave "The 6th Day" three out of four stars, remarking that it is not in the same league as "Total Recall" and "", but that it nevertheless qualifies as a serious science fiction film. He also found problems with the cloning as depicted in film, saying that " problem with both processes is that while the resulting clone ... might know everything I know ... I myself would still be over here in the old container." Kenneth Turan of the "Los Angeles Times" disliked the generic appearance of the film and Schwarzenegger's typecasting as an action hero. Turan gave the film two out of five stars.