Novocaine: Film Review
It’s only March and Jack Quaid is already having a stellar 2025 with the release of Companion and his new action comedy Novocaine.
He plays Nathan Caine, an assistant manager at a bank with the inability to feel pain. After crushing on his colleague Sherry (Amber Midthunder) from afar, they finally go on a date. The next day, three men rob the bank and take Sherry with them as a hostage, so naturally, Nathan decides to rescue her by himself.
The concept is far-fetched and silly but it’s so much fun. I really enjoyed this! Quaid is the perfect actor for the job because he believably plays a nerdy everyday guy and really sells the comedy and the action, often within the same scene. Nathan isn’t a fighter and he doesn’t know what he’s doing but he uses his condition to his advantage as he takes on the tough guys to save Sherry.
His first fight scene, set in a restaurant kitchen, is the highlight of the film. It is choreographed brilliantly. Nathan doesn’t want to hurt anybody and unsuccessfully tries to stop the fight with words. He doesn’t physically retaliate and lets himself get absolutely pummelled until he realises he needs to do some self-defence otherwise he’ll die! It’s peppered with comedic moments where Nathan gives commentary on what’s happening as he’s not consumed by pain like normal people would be.
None of the other setpieces reach that level of awesome, although I quite enjoyed Nathan’s walk through a booby-trapped house. It gets more and more violent and bloody as it progresses. You would think these moments would hit different, considering Nathan can’t feel pain, but they are just as wince-inducing as ever. Honestly, I looked away and audibly responded to some gruesome shots.
You have to suspend your belief with the concept. Nathan can’t feel pain, but that doesn’t make him a superhero with the ability to regenerate. The film stretches the believability on that front. At the very least, he should have some blood loss! But, at the end of the day, it is a comedy and we have to take these things with a pinch of salt.
Novocaine is an entertaining time at the movies, especially if you see it with a crowd so you can all react to it together. Switch your brain off at the door and embrace it.
In cinemas from Friday 28th March
Rating: 4 out of 5.
