However, despite some added bite to Sparks' traditional mix of beachside frolics and attracting opposites, there's just a sense of déjà vu about the whole enterprise...

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 18, 2023

Still has all the eye-rolling trademarks of a Nicholas Sparks production.

| Original Score: C+ | Sep 18, 2021

Josh Duhamel is smokin' hot, the love story is sweet, and it's all undeniably watchable.

| Mar 8, 2021

The film has action sequences, though they are horridly done and severely disrupt the tone of a film with an already disrupted tone.

| Original Score: 1.5/4.0 | Sep 21, 2020

Dull, sappy, and manipulative to the point of being offensive.

| Original Score: D | Jul 28, 2020

A "safe" bet for a wonderful moviegoing experience, especially this Valentine's weekend, take a chance and wrap yourself in the mystery and romance of Safe Haven.

| Nov 27, 2019

The sentimental plot twist is particularly arch. It's essentially a means to endow further dignity on an already idealised thirtysomething father and his impossibly cute kids.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 31, 2019

Despite Hough and Duhamel's best efforts to inject some chemistry into proceedings, their relationship is gratingly insipid stuff.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 9, 2019

The right balance of love, drama and adversity, Safe Haven mixes in a little mystery to keep the narrative interesting - though audiences could probably have done without the supernatural element.

| Oct 22, 2018

How long can writer Nicholas Sparks trade off his iconic blub-fest The Notebook?

| Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 5, 2017

If you're a fan of Sparks, and like-minded feel-good romantic dramas, Safe Haven will deliver what you know and love; everyone else should be well warned by now.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 16, 2016

A movie whose punch line is so delightfully absurd that even after you pretty much know what's coming you spit out your Pepsi anyway.

| Jan 3, 2014

All the usual romance and idyllic locations-and-vengeful-violent-ex-husband, up until the weirdest, most out-of-nowhere plot twist ever.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 26, 2013

few will leave the cinema feeling they've seen something original or affecting

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 18, 2013

While a predictable chick flick, Safe Haven is never dull. It's not particularly good, either.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 9, 2013

...the feel-good finale is unable to pack the emotional punch that Hallstrom is obviously striving for...

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 31, 2013

A wholly inert lump of by-the-numbers syrup that's as boring as it is pointless.

| Jul 13, 2013

This latest Sparks adaptation should please audiences seeking wish-fulfillment romantic fantasy; the new love depicted here is so pure and true it even receives supernatural endorsement.

| Original Score: 2/4 | May 14, 2013

Sparks' field may be fertile, but it's also rich in manure.

| Original Score: C | May 13, 2013

Expect to gag early and often, and consider breaking up with anyone who forces you to sit through this.

| Original Score: 1/4 | May 7, 2013