On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 82% based on 55 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Eve's Bayou marks a striking feature debut for director Kasi Lemmons, layering terrific performances and Southern mysticism into a measured meditation on disillusionment and forgiveness." The film did receive many accolades. Debbi Morgan's performance would be her most honored film role, with four nominations and two wins. The film is also noted for Jurnee Smollett's performance; up to this point, she had worked primarily as a TV actress, with "Jack" as her only previous film. In February 2008, "Eve's Bayou" made "TIME"'s list of "The 25 Most Important Films on Race". On February 16, 2009, Debbi Morgan's portrayal of Mozelle Batiste Delacroix was included in Pop Matters' 100 Essential Female Film Performances list. In 2012, Jurnee Smollett's role as Eve Batiste was included in Essence Magazine's 25 Best Roles for Black Actresses list.  1997 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards  1997 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards  1997 National Board of Review Awards  1997 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards  1998 Acapulco Black Film Festival  1998 Independent Spirit Awards  1998 NAACP Image Awards  1998 Satellite Awards  1998 Young Artist Awards  1998 YoungStar Awards