Several commentators discussed at length about the phenomenon behind the character's popularity, with many identifying her unusually tall height as a key element which drew fan interest.
[41][42][18][55][19] Leon Hurley of
GamesRadar+ observed that Dimitrescu is not the main villain of
Village or its most important character, but nevertheless has become more
prominent, popular, discussed, and imitated than was originally intended or expected.
[56] In light of the character's positive reception, Jess Kinghorn also from
GamesRadar suggested that the video game industry should be less fixated with youthfulness by featuring more older female characters who are nuanced in characterization.
[57] In December 2021, Ed Nightingale of
Eurogamer described her as the "most memorable character of the year", claiming that "Lady Dimitrescu embodies all of this, straddling the line between horror, sex, and camp."
[58]
Certain commentators have suggested that some of the fan interest in the character is erotic or sexual in nature, specifically feminine dominance.
Dimistrescu's popularity has indeed inspired a substantial amount of fan-made pornography or expressions of desire to participate in sexual or erotic fetishism.[34][59][60] The character is said to have generated some interest in trampling, the act of being stepped on by a partner playing a sexually dominant role, in particular.[34][61] Professional erotica writer Gemma Glitter attributed interest in the character by some corners to
macrophilia, in this case a fascination of giant-sized women.
[34] Lloyd Houston of
Eurogamer said that Dimitrescu proves to the queer people that disidentification is necessary.
[62] Steven T. Wright from
Input Mag reported that Lady Dimitrescu's sex appeal represents the fetishization of their body height for several real-life tall women, as she is considered to be "simultaneously a beacon of their own power and allure, and a painful reminder of the complex social stigmas society attaches to femme body shape".
[63] Some critics have also criticised her for overcoming the horror game and for having shorter screen time that many players may have anticipated.
[26][64]
Maggie Robertson has earned multiple awards for her performance as Lady Dimitrescu. She won Best Performer at the 2021
Golden Joystick Awards,
[65] Best Performance at
The Game Awards 2021,
[66] the
Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game at the 11th Annual New York Game Awards,
[67] and the Outstanding Performance in a Drama, Supporting award at the 21st annual NAVGTR Awards.
[68] At the
25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, Robertson accepted the award for
Outstanding Achievement in Character on behalf of the
Village development team for the collective work with the creation of the Lady Dimitrescu character.