“Less a movie than a Zac Efron photo album, and why did they give the entire plot away in the trailer?” Jackie K. Cooper, jackiekcooper.com

“Where’s a vampire when you need one?” Tom Long, Detroit News

“It’s like a friend you’re not that fond of sobbing sloppily on your shoulder.” Katey Rich, CinemaBlend.com

“If Zac Efron hadn’t signed on, this sappy spiritual fantasy would certainly have skipped the cineplex altogether—in favor of eternal rotation on cable.” Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

“Steers and his screenwriters aren’t aiming for logic; they’re leading up to the next opportunity for Efron to remove his shirt.” James Berardinelli, ReelViews

“Some bad movies should carry a leper’s bell to warn off ticket buyers. Such a contagion is Charlie St. Cloud, a load of mawkish swill starring Zac Efron.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone