[2] The documentary garnered critical acclaim, and widespread international media coverage, contributing to heightened mainstream public awareness of the conservatorship dispute and a reassessment of Spears' sexist and gratuitous treatment.

Spears's relationship with Sam Lutfi, who then identified himself as her new manager, is speculated in the film to be a turning point for her father to first negotiate a conservatorship and is described as "attaching himself to celebrities, often at vulnerable moments for them."

The film notes that Spears has unsuccessfully moved for her father to be removed from his conservator role and shows clips of her fans in the #FreeBritney movement demanding the courts fulfill her wishes.

The website's critics consensus reads: "Framing Britney Spears asks more questions than it can answer, but remains a sobering examination of the toxic nature of celebrity culture.

[10] Daniel D'Addario of Variety stated "This film provides a sort of pocket portrait of a person for whom freedom has been denied, and for whom that denial comes as no surprise.

"[11] Reviewing it for The Times, Ed Potton suggested it was "not an easy watch" due to the negative portrayal of Spears's father.

"[15] In a critical review for The Telegraph, Anita Singh opined that after decades of unwelcome attention from paparazzi, the documentary is "a help rather than a hindrance as she tries to reclaim control of her life.

"[16] Variety named it one of the Best TV Shows of 2021, saying "The very best of the year’s scripted and unscripted projects seeking to reframe and reclaim recent pop-culture history, this doc had a seriousness of purpose and — not for nothing — could be argued to have made a greater impact than any other entrant on this list.".

[17] Several celebrities and television personalities received widespread backlash for their past remarks about Spears or interview questions directed at her, including Justin Timberlake, Diane Sawyer, Sarah Silverman, Joel McHale, Ivo Niehe, John O'Hurley, and Perez Hilton.

"[22] After the documentary's release, numerous celebrities voiced support for Spears, including Howard Stern,[23] Miley Cyrus,[24][25] Dua Lipa,[26] Kim Kardashian,[27] Paris Hilton,[28] Olivia Newton-John,[29] Kacey Musgraves,[30][31][32][33] Sarah Jessica Parker,[24][30][32] Bette Midler,[24][32] Kathy Najimy,[34] Sara Sampaio,[35] Josh Gad,[36] Cardi B, Sam Smith,[32] Charlie Puth,[37] Ellie Goulding,[25] Ava Max,[38] Hayley Williams,[24][30][32][31][39] Vanessa Carlton,[32][40] Hayley Kiyoko,[32][41] Bella Thorne,[42] Courtney Love,[32][43] Jon Bon Jovi,[44] Amy Lee,[45] Sandra Bernhard,[46] Garbage,[32] Emma Caulfield,[47] Jameela Jamil,[48] Pitbull,[49] will.i.am,[50] Heather Morris,[51] Elizabeth Reaser,[52] Lexi Alexander,[53] Rebecca Mader,[54] Rico Nasty,[31] Andy Cohen,[55] Valerie Bertinelli,[56] and Liz Phair.

[60] On September 24, 2021, FX aired the follow-up documentary Controlling Britney Spears, being simultaneously added for streaming by Hulu.