Blue Collar was universally praised by critics. The film holds a 98% "Fresh" rating on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes based on 42 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Paul Schrader's Blue Collar offers a searing, darkly funny indictment of labor exploitation and rampant consumerism that's fueled by the outstanding work of an excellent cast."Blue Collar, Movie Reviews. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 21, 2021. Both Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel lauded the film; Ebert awarded the film four starsRoger Ebert reviews Blue Collar. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 27, 2016. and Siskel placed the film fourth on his list of the ten best of 1978.Siskel and Ebert Top 10. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
