 "Houston Chronicle" journalist Andrea Waguespack described the visual as "[h]eavy with African influences" and its opening as "chilling".Similarly, Alyssa Bailey in a review for "Elle", called the opening monologue "chilling" and pointed out how it becomes "a mesmerizing dance number, flawlessly executed by Beyoncé" afterwards.Carl Williott, writing for Idolator noted how the opening monologue and Williams's cameo were "intact" to the "kiss-off".