Common criticism from both reviews that appeared in trade publications and major news outlets and the audience were a lack of originality, a weak script, uninspired music, poor execution, and Golan's inexperienced take on the 1960s hippie movement. "Variety" gave a negative review of the film, stating that "characters and story are flimsy and seem intended as mere pegs on which to hang the musical numbers" and that "choreography generates a lot of energy, but its frantic tempo doesn't always compensate for lack of imagination." However, the review also complimented the film's technical aspects, particularly that, "David Gurfinkel's camera work profusely using every trick in the business, every filter and lighting device, to hold attention up at all times." The "Monthly Film Bulletin" described "The Apple" as a "cut-price extravaganza plummets to a new low in opportunistic inanity" and that the "sole saving grace is an enthusiastically camp performance by Vladek Skeybal." "The Ottawa Citizen" described "The Apple" (along with Golan's earlier film "The Magician of Lublin") as "remarkable feats of ineptitude". On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 20% score based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 3.99/10. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 39 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".