[1][2] Critic Lav Diaz gave Dugo ng Pusakal a mixed review, stating that the film's numerous forced scenes lessened the quality of its focus on character psychology.
Diaz would later become the co-writer for Cinco's 1993 film Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita.
Dugo ng Pusakal was graded "A" by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), indicating a "Very Good" quality.
Diaz commended its focus on the psychological effects of violence similar to the action films Boy Negro and Sandakot Na Bala, the latter also written by Jose N. Carreon, but stated that Dugo ng Pusakal does not reach the level of those works, its quality diluted from having too many "forced and clumsy situations.
"[2] Diaz would later co-write the screenplay to director Manuel Cinco's 1993 film Galvez: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Mundo Hahanapin Kita.