Upon its release, "Karaula 2006" received widespread critical acclaim in Serbia and beyond. The film's intense action sequences, paired with its thought-provoking storyline and strong performances, resonated with audiences and critics alike. The movie's success was not limited to the cinematic sphere; it sparked a national conversation in Serbia about the country's turbulent past, its ongoing challenges, and the role of its military and law enforcement agencies.
Upon its release, Karaula premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Panorama Audience Award. Croatian and Bosnian film critics hailed it as the best film of the decade. However, its reception was not uniform. In Serbia and some nationalist circles, the film was criticized for "equalizing guilt" and presenting Yugoslav soldiers as fools.