It received positive reviews from critics, who mostly praised the performances of Wysocki and Reilly, while deWitt was nominated for Best First Screenplay at the 27th Independent Spirit Awards.

Soon Terri is taken under the wing of unconventional assistant principal Mr. Fitzgerald, who creates a series of Monday-morning counseling sessions for social outcasts at the school.

The website's consensus reads: "Embodied with compelling sensitivity by newcomer Jacob Wysocki and supported by a wonderful John C. Reilly, Terri is an emotionally powerful character study.

"[13] Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and described it as "a small masterpiece of misdirection, a winsome, utterly unpredictable portrait of adolescence that flawlessly captures its cruelty and sweetness."

Hornaday opined, "Thanks to Jacobs's observant eye and ear, Terri moves with the same endearing ease as its troubled but true-blue title character.

"[14] Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Jacobs and deWitt use Terri's circumstances to circle a series of serious, and seriously uncomfortable, issues.

"[17] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter commented, "It's not the most substantial movie and its delicate approach can seem rather studied, almost as if the director is trying on a style rather than adopting one that's an ideal fit.

"[18] Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave the film a grade of "A-" and wrote, "As with Momma's Man, Jacobs' rhythm in these scenes places emphasis on quiet reaction shots instead of extended conversation.