[Minor Rock Fist Down]
Novocaine is a quirky action comedy that kinda explores the life of Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), a bank assistant manager who has been living a less than social life dealing with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA), a rare condition rendering him unable to feel pain.
Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, the film maintains a high intensity pacing in order to trick you into thinking that more is happening than is actually happening. It’s fast. Funny at times. But Novocaine struggles to remain interesting beyond the gimmick of the set-up.
Nathan Caine leads a cautious and uneventful life, meticulously avoiding any potential harm due to his inability to sense pain. This dude can’t feel anything. Anything. He even wears an alarm to remind him to use the bathroom.
But he does have a feeling….or some feelings for his new co-worker, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). After just an adorable first date slash one night stand, their budding romance takes a perilous turn when a group of bank robbers, led by the menacing Simon (Ray Nicholson), takes Sherry hostage during a heist. Determined to save her, Nathan embarks on a relentless pursuit, utilizing his condition as an unconventional advantage in confrontations with the criminals.
Quaid, known mostly for his role on the adult-centered superhero series The Boys, delivers a pretty similar performance here. Has just enough comedic chops and nervous energy to make Nathan’s condition believable and he handles the action sequences well, creating a relatable and endearing protagonist. Midthunder’s portrayal of Sherry adds depth to the narrative, at least initially, before she is sidelined and saddled with a plot twist in her character that only serves to keep her from simply being a damsel in distress, but doesn’t really resonate with the plot of the flick.
Her on-screen chemistry with Quaid, however, enhances the romantic subplot, providing just enough emotional stakes that drive the story forward.
Directors Berk and Olsen navigate the film’s tonal shifts with varying degrees of success. The initial setup introduces a quirky, almost slapstick comedy vibe, leveraging Nathan’s inability to feel pain for humorous scenarios. However, as the plot progresses into the rescue mission, the film adopts a darker, more violent tone, reminiscent of action thrillers like John Wick. This transition, while ambitious, results in a somewhat disjointed narrative that oscillates between lightheartedness and brutal action without seamless integration.
The action sequences are a focal point of Novocaine, showcasing inventive choreography that utilizes Nathan’s condition to create unique combat scenarios but the creativity on this one-note joke wears off pretty fast and soon you realize the movie doesn’t have much more to offer than being a mostly generic action movie. The filmmakers take the joke as far as it can go, using graphic violence and gory confrontations to add plenty of cringe-worthy moments. The cinematography uses dynamic camera work to capture the frenetic energy of these scenes, though at times, the rapid editing can make it challenging to follow the action clearly.
The screenplay from Lars Jacobson offers a fresh premise but struggles with consistency. The dialogue fluctuates between sharp wit and clichéd exchanges, and the character development, particularly for the antagonists, lacks depth. The pacing is uneven; the film’s momentum builds effectively during the first two acts but is hindered by an overextended climax that includes multiple endings, diluting the overall impact.
Novocaine presents an intriguing concept bolstered by strong performances from Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder. The film’s blend of comedy and action offers moments of genuine entertainment, particularly in its inventive action sequences. However, tonal inconsistencies and pacing issues prevent it from fully realizing its potential once the novelty of the “I can’t feel that”-joke wears off (and it happens pretty quickly).
While not without its flaws, Novocaine provides a semi-positive first viewing experience for audiences seeking a fresh take on the action-comedy genre. But this one is ultimately pretty forgettable.
Lover of movies and tacos. Ad man. Author. Member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Founder of the Terror on the Plains Horror Festival. Creator and voice of the Reel Hooligans podcast.
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