Novocaine Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

This is Jack Quaid’s year! After a great villainous performance in Companion, he reappears as a lovable everyman with CIPA, out to save the girl he loves.

Genre: Action / Comedy / Thriller

Director: Dan Berk & Robert Olsen

Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Conrad Kemp, Matt Walsh, Garth Collins, Evan Hengst, Craig Jackson & Jacob Batalon.

Run Time: 110 min.

US Release: 14 March 2025

UK Release: 28 March 2025

German Release: 20 March 2025

Another week, another catch-up review! This action-comedy was in my “Most Anticipated” list for 2025. Not only does it star Jack Quaid, who is incredibly likeable, but it also had great marketing, selling this as a Nobody-like spectacle. Counting down the days until release, I ran like a madman to the cinema on release day, and I was not disappointed. This is a fun, quirky little flick that leans heavily into its silliness. It isn’t perfect, but it knows how to entertain! So chase with me, through this painless review for Novocaine. 

Assistant bank director Nathan Caine, who is unable to feel pain due to a genetic disorder of the nervous system, turns his condition into a tool, as he risks his life to save the girl of his dreams. 

Cross the core elements of Matchstick Men-style like film, with the fighting in John Wick, sprinkle in a little superhero-like power, plus garnish it with a cute romance… et voila, you obtain this delightful original genre-blender. The first arc is modelled after a rom-com, successfully setting up vulnerable backstories as well as a love interest for the protagonist to overcome his fears and become the hero he needs to be. 

This kicks in the second part of the narrative, where Nate’s condition is used as a tool for comedic action segments. It also serves as a gadget for growth, even though it is kept at a surface level. However, it is acceptable as it is also self-aware of its silly nature, not trying to be a thought-provoking piece of art, but more of a light-hearted movie. 

That said, along its third arc, it oversells the CIPA aspect, becoming a parody of itself as it slips into slapstick territory, losing any semblance of believability. The torment the protagonist goes through would send the body into shock, even without the sensation of pain. It is also the segment where the humour starts feeling too repetitive, diluting any emotion it set up during the first two-thirds. Then there is the fact that the ending is stretched out a little too long, and could have wrapped up sooner.

The dialogue makes use of cute, innocent love-talk, giving vulnerability to characters, just like adding a good portion of well-placed witty one-liners, underlining the film's dark, humorous tone. The conversations don’t carry a lot of weight, though enough to make viewers understand plus care for the protagonist. 

Jack Quaid plays a Jack Quaid everyman, who is usually flawed, nonetheless, likeable. He infuses the character with a unique type of comedy, as Nathan Caine needs to break out of his nice-guy role, beating people who get in his way, faking pain, just like needing to stomach the hurt he inflicts on others. His physical acting, paired with the funny situations he finds himself in, enhances the journey from reserved, vulnerable bank manager to an unexpected, relentless hero.

Amber Midthunder, who plays the romantic counterpart, Sherry, brings the love element at the beginning to life. This allows spectators to connect with the lead’s motives, as he goes out to save her later. That said, she still manages to obtain a good place in this picture, as there is more to her persona. 

Ray Nicholson balances out the cast as Simon, one of the bank robbers who kidnaps Sherry. Switching between really nice and very nasty, Nicholson gives an interesting out-of-balance rendition to a one-dimensional character.  

Finally, we have the supporting cast, with Betty Gabriel as Detective Mincy Langston, who fills out the obligatory police character, together with her partner Coltraine Duffy, played by an overacting Matt Walsh. 

Cinematographically, Novocaine doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but is effective enough to make it stand out from other action flicks. The use of dynamic cameras gives battle scenes an immersive touch, letting audiences sense what Nate Caine should be feeling. It also utilises minimal cuts during such segments, letting fights be more fluid. However, given its mild tone, as well as surface-level story, the overreliance on gore makes it hard to predict who the target audience is, given that it can feel too bland for adults, yet is too violent for a younger viewership.

Production made majorly use of practical effects, with grand results! The make-up and prosthetics department created realistic-looking scrapes, cuts, plus injuries, adding another layer of realism to the premise. Computer-generated effects are used to smooth out some of the practical ones, giving the whole CIPA condition more profundity. Costume design blends well with the development of the plot.

The score, composed by Lorne Balfe, adapts itself well to the pacing, without feeling overbearing.

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Verdict: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s newest release is pure innocent fun, without the need of gritty depth. Its mission is to entertain, which it manages to do perfectly. The script blends different genres well into its core story with splendid pacing. The narrative is light, never taking itself too seriously, yet it manages to establish the central figures well at the beginning. The last third slips a little too much into slapstick, while the ending could have been wrapped up faster. Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder have cute chemistry together. Midthunder’s Sherry has more to her than she lets on at first, while Jack Quaid plays the typical likeable doofus character he usually does. The camera makes impressive use of dynamic battles, the effects are good, with the gore ramped up a little too much, making it inconsistent in its tone. I had a great time, giving Novocaine a 7.0 out of 10. 

So, did you see this new action comedy? Do you agree with my review? What are your thoughts? Leave a like, share & comment below! As always, thank you for reading.