Secret Agent calls Kalamkaval an "out and out Mammootty show" delivering "next level" goosebumps. The primary appeal is the casting of Mammootty as the subtle, swag-filled villain and Vinayakan as the cool, realistic police officer. The perf ormances, especially Mammootty's nuanced villainy, dominate the screen and, supported by Mujeeb Majeed's brilliant BGM, createa thrilling and satisfying cinematic experience, despite a potentially slow start.

- Secret Agent X(Youtuber)

The reviewers were highly dissatisfied with Kalamkaval, calling it a tedious, overlong experience with a weak script and poor direction. Their chief critique is the miscasting of both leads: Mammootty's age made the villain's romantic plots unconvincing and repulsive, and Vinayakan lacked the energy for the investigative role. Although they praised Mujeeb Majeed's BGM, the film's overall execution and lack of a satisfying climax left them deeply disappointed.

— Entertainment Kizhi (Youtubers)