‘Novocaine’ (2025) – A Sharp-Witted Action Comedy with a Unique Twist
Novocaine, directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, brings a fresh perspective to the action-comedy genre with an unusual protagonist. Jack Quaid stars as Nathan Caine, a man born with congenital insensitivity to pain, meaning he can’t physically feel anything. This rare condition shapes his cautious, structured life, but when a high-stakes bank robbery throws everything into chaos, he’s forced to use his condition to his advantage in ways he never imagined. What did we think about this? Let’s dive in and find out.
Jack Quaid in Novocaine (Paramount Pictures)
Nathan works as a reserved but meticulous bank manager in San Diego, avoiding risks at all costs. His world starts to change when Sherry (Amber Midthunder), a lively and curious coworker, takes an interest in him. Their growing romance pushes Nathan out of his comfort zone, leading to moments of both humor and self-discovery. However, things take a dramatic turn when their bank is held up by a gang led by Simon (Ray Nicholson). When Sherry is taken hostage, Nathan embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue her, using his inability to feel pain as an unlikely superpower.
Jack Quaid delivers a solid performance, balancing Nathan’s awkwardness with his gradual transformation into an action hero. The best way to describe his character for fans of ‘The Boys’ is Hughie on a side quest. He has the same charm he brings to the show so it feels like Quaid has found his niche as a performer. His chemistry with Midthunder makes their relationship feel pretty authentic, adding depth to the story beyond just the action. Sherry isn’t just a damsel in distress—she has her own agency, making the stakes feel more real. Out of the main cast, Ray Nicholson does a fine job with what he is given, but his character is very bland. The film doesn’t explore his motivations deeply enough to make him more than just a standard bad guy.
Jack Quaid in Novocaine (Paramount Pictures)
The film’s mix of action and humor mostly works, creating moments that are both intense and absurdly funny. A good level of cringe comes to some of the “pain” being witnessed. I mean there were a few moments where the sound design was perfect as it made me sink a bit into my seat. The only problem with this balance is that the tone isn’t always consistent—sometimes the violence overshadows the comedy, making it unclear whether we’re supposed to laugh or recoil. The action scenes, though, are well-executed, using Nathan’s condition in creative and unexpected ways. Watching him push past physical limits with no regard for pain makes for some jaw-dropping moments.
Despite a few predictable plot points and some pacing issues in the middle, Novocaine is a fresh and entertaining take on the action-comedy genre. It doesn’t always nail the balance between its darker elements and humor, but it delivers an engaging, fast paced story with an overall original premise. With strong performances and inventive action, it should be a solid outing at the theater for action fans alike.
