I love a good action comedy that finds the just-right balance of explosive thrills and hearty laughs. When done so, they can be some of the most rewatchable movies you come across. Unfortunately, Novocaine, a new action comedy starring Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, is not one of those action comedies.
Novocaine follows Nathan Caine, an awkward and introverted bank executive with the inability to feel pain, something that at first sounds like a superpower, but is more of a debilitating condition than one might think. Because he can’t feel pain, Nathan is at risk of injuring himself without even realizing it. From the get-go, the movie makes a point to demonstrate this through his overly cautious routine and methods as well as his introverted lifestyle.
The man doesn’t venture far outside of work and has never even had a slice of cherry pie out of fear he might bite off his tongue and not even realize it. But when he meets and falls for his co-worker Sherry, who brings him out of his shell, his entire life and worldview change. That is until Sherry is kidnapped by dangerous bank robbers, leading him to go on a daring rescue mission that throws caution to the wind with fights, car chases, and plenty of near-death experiences that put Nathan’s body to the ultimate test.
Novocaine seems like the kind of movie that could work with its two likable leads, a fun premise, and knack for over-the-top violence, but while I wanted to enjoy it, I couldn’t help but find it to be an aggressively mediocre time. No matter how hard I tried, I just for the life of me couldn’t get into it, making the entire ordeal feel never-ending, inescapable, and tedious.
That’s not to say that the movie doesn’t have some notable qualities, though. Despite their limited screen time together, Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder have a charming chemistry together and they make the most out of the lukewarm material they were given. There’s also a slight sincerity to the story and its main character as he risks everything, taking on so much harm in the pursuit of love, rather than remaining in a life of safe, yet lonely solitude. And speaking of harm, the makeup work can be quite gnarly when it comes to the gory moments of hyperviolence that Nathan’s body endures. There’s a scene where he dips his hand in the boiling grease of a fryer, and it is an effectively nauseating sight to see… There is a good amount of potential here for what could have been a blast of a popcorn flick.
What’s disappointing is that potential is wasted time and time again. The direction played it way too safe for my taste, struggling to engage my interest at nearly every turn. The cinematography and editing are overly basic. The script left a lot to be desired, barely going beyond the surface level. The jokes are just plain unfunny, failing to garner a single laugh out of me. The action squanders any creative moments of bloodshed with boring execution. The villains are as shallow and forgettable as villains come with motivations that are pretty much non-existent. The trailer, which was shown in theaters to the point of overkill, gave way too much away, leaving little room for surprise.
Final Thoughts
I just didn’t have fun with Novocaine, and if there’s one thing a movie like Novocaine should be, it’s fun. Instead, it felt like a chore to watch and chores are not fun. It’s not the worst movie I’ve seen in 2025 so far, but it did not leave a positive or lasting impression either.
2/5
To check out more of our reviews, click here. If you have suggestions for movies we should check out, email [email protected]!
For as far back as I can remember, I have loved movies and the escapism they provide. From when I was a child until I was a teenager, my family moved around a few times, and while that wasn't always easy, movies were there for me to provide comfort, entertainment, understanding, and so much more. They transported me to worlds beyond my imagination, and I became fascinated with filmmaking as a medium. Since high school, I have enjoyed making movie reviews, but finding an audience was a constant struggle. That was until I joined TikTok in 2021, and since then I have been able to join a community that loves talking about and discussing movies as much as I do. My cinematic philosophy is to enjoy what you enjoy. I'm always trying to expand my tastes and to watch as many movies as I can, no matter the genre, time of release, or country of origin.
Outside of watching movies, I enjoy spending time with my wife and my dog. I also love to ski and collect physical media. I graduated college with a degree in Marketing & Communications in 2018.
My favorite movies: Dazed and Confused, The Thing, Heat, Spider-Man, The Empire Strikes Back, Goodfellas, Mulholland Drive, Aftersun, The Batman, The Big Lebowski, Barry Lyndon, The Fellowship of the Ring, In The Mood For Love, Inception, Arrival.
Great review!