Critical response Raatchasi received mixed reviews from critics.
Indiaglitz gave 3.25/5 stars and wrote "Sy. Gowthamraj makes a respectable debut armed with genuine knowledge of the issues he has taken up and filming it as honestly as he could. The lack of finesse can be forgiven for the strong content and messages".
Sify.com rated the film 3/5 stars and said, "
Raatchasi works mainly because of Jyotika, as her performance is solid and sincere. She is in there in every frame and is in superb form. She has even put on a little weight to look convincing as a teacher. Though it takes some time to sync with her character, slowly she grabs our attention and makes us travel along with her. Watch it for the topical message, sharp dialogues and an earnest Jyotika."
Behindwoods gave the film 2.5/5 stars and stated, "Jyotika's performance is clean throughout and the clarity she brings to screen is impeccable. She steals the show with good dialogue delivery and body language. The film could have been way better if the story was treated well and the screenplay was more engaging." Thinkal Menon of
The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and said, "Jyotika's performance as the dutiful teacher is the prime saving grace of this preachy film". Janani K of
India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Jyothika's
Raatchasi is a film that touches upon pressing issues that are plaguing government schools. Along with being predictable, the film lacks a strong screenplay to hold everyone's attention. Raatchasi is a one-time watch". Karthik Kumar of
Hindustan Times rated 2.5/5 stars stating "Despite an earnest effort by actor Jyotika, the film's dependence on melodrama and message-heavy dialogues makes it an effort to watch". S Subhakeerthana of
The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and said, "
Raatchasi could have been a better film if the director understood the screenplay and characters were as important as ‘messages'". Sudhir Srinivasan of
Cinema Express rated 2/5 stars and said, "After an efficient beginning, Raatchasi settles into a dull, comfortable zone, where familiar demons get addressed, and not particularly in enterprising ways". Anjana Shekar of
The News Minute gave 2/5 stars and said, "Jyothika's Geetha Rani is a refreshing character but the film does not rise above the predictable one-line story of a teacher turning a school around".
News18 rated it 1.5/5 stars stating, "In Raatchasi, Gowthamraj is simply in awe of his superwoman, and, worse, he makes no effort to hide it.".
Baradwaj Rangan of
Film Companion South wrote, "When will our directors learn that good intentions cannot make a good movie? Or that relentless music (Sean Roldan is the composer) isn't enough to make us "feel" if there's no emotional connect with the characters?...it's great that Jyotika is cherry-picking projects that indulge in a fair bit of "heroine worship"...but she really needs better scripts".
Firstpost stated, "Raatchasi skims through issues plaguing the education system and offers a one-woman army as the solution." Srinivasa Ramanujam of
The Hindu stated "Raatchasi is well-intentioned no doubt — films like these are constant reminders of the need to upgrade our government schools - but it needs more finesse, more heart".
Deccan Chronicle stated, "Sean Rolden’s music and Gokul Binoy’s cinematography capture the right mood of the film. There are few glitches, nevertheless, Raatchasi is a well-intentioned film with a good concept that’s worth a watch".
Ananda Vikatan wrote, "Teacher crush, Heroine, special wish for dealt the Educational Development". ==Publicity==