Many reviews, including those from Rolling Stone , highlight the "lopsided balance of power" in their relationship. While Vitali maintains he has no regrets, the film raises unsettling questions about whether his devotion was a choice or a form of "Stockholm Syndrome".
The film is universally praised as "pure candy for Kubrick buffs". It is packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, unheard-of trivia, and interviews with actors like Matthew Modine and Ryan O'Neal . Filmworker
Critics frequently describe the film as a "dark meditation" on the cost of supporting a legendary artist. It captures how Vitali was "subsumed" by Kubrick’s perfectionism, performing everything from casting and color correction to menial tasks like monitoring dying pets.