The Stream: The annoying lead character makes choices that make no sense.

The Big Screen: Some funny moments with extreme violence and a over-the-top performance by Ray Nicholson.

The Final Bill: An occasionally funny action comedy with a decent premise gets by on interesting fight sequences despite the annoying lead character.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Writers: Lars Jacobson
Stars: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, and language throughout.
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Production Companies: Infrared, Safehouse Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Platform: In theaters March 14, 2025
Notable Trailers: Locked, Sinners, Until Dawn, Ballerina, Drop, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

Hey, Streamers! We’re in the doldrums of March when it comes to new releases in the theaters. Trust me, it’s slim pickings. Nevertheless, I saw Novocaine, an action, comedy starring Jack Quaid as a man with a genetic disorder that prevents him from feeling any pain, and here’s whether it’s worth your time and money. In this movie, Nathan Caine (Quaid) is an assistant manager at a bank who is pining for a spunky teller, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). When Sherry is taken hostage by a gang of bank robbers, Nathan pursues the gang to save Sherry and uses his inability to feel pain like a superpower. Bloody, bone-cracking hijinks ensue.

Novocaine is a decent action comedy. It brings both the action and the comedy in good measure. First, the gimmick of the main character’s inability to feel pain is put to good use. There are very fun and kinetic fight sequences. It is very visceral, and although Nathan cannot feel pain, the audience certainly can. I definitely had to cover my eyes in some of these scenes. Second, you will laugh throughout the film as thing get crazier in every step of Nathan’s quest. Quaid has good reactions to his injuries even though the character doesn’t feel pain. There are side characters that add flavor throughout as well, especially Nathan’s friend, Roscoe (Jacob Batalon), and lead bank robber, Simon (Ray Nicholson).

In my opinion, I find Jack Quaid pretty annoying to begin with, so it was difficult for me to sympathize with his character. To me, Nathan makes some baffling choices, which, I guess, is part of the comedy of the movie, but also makes the character seem pretty dumb. Plus, the first 20-30 minutes of the movie is a grating romantic comedy attempting to establish a relationship between Nathan and Sherry. They are pretty annoying together and I don’t buy their chemistry. On the other hand, once the robbery kicks the action of the movie into high gear, then things get more enjoyable and exciting. A special shout out to Ray Nicholson who brings that over-the-top energy to his role just like his father, Jack Nicholson. He’s got a bright future for a nepo baby.

Ultimately, Novocaine is a decent action comedy. It is slow to start as it gets bogged down by a ho-hum romantic comedy storyline, but it kicks into high gear once the action takes over. There are some clever fight sequences that add energy and comedy to this movie. Ray Nicholson is a standout. Despite my reservations about Jack Quaid, you’ll have a fun time at matinee, so grab a bowl of popcorn.