Sunday Star Times's Rick Bryant gave it 4 stars and said "If Via Satellite has a marketing problem, it may be that it is too good, and the dingbats, usual suspects and assorted dullards just won't get it. On the other hand, it has been kept familiar, recognisable and completely unpretentious."
David Stratton in Variety said "This modest Kiwi outing offers a few fresh twists to basically familiar material in which members of a dysfunctional family are forced into an uneasy reunion. Thanks to strong performances, especially from lead actress Danielle Cormack, pic builds to a satisfying, emotional climax."
In the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Burl Burlingame gave it 2 1/2 stars at the Hawaii International Film Festival. He notes after a family secret is dropped "Nothing wrong with Family Secrets. They tend to inject juice into almost anything. But this fairly light-hearted romp stagers under the load and never quite gets off its knees thereafter."