"the new york times" film critic bosley crowther wrote, "the story turns entirely on a neat melodramatic trick. mr. veidt as a simple, unpretentious and loyal naturalized american is coerced by his twin, a nazi consul, into assisting with some spy activities. but the moment comes when he is able to kill his brother without any one seeing the deed, and he takes this opportunity to place himself in the evil brother's shoes. his purpose thereby is, of course, to spy upon the spies ..."