User reviews

I saw Novocaine early as this week's selection for Marcus's Mystery Movie. I had already planned on watching it so I was happy with the choice. And while I enjoyed the experience, it feels like most of the other 2025 releases I've seen: good but not great.

The premise is interesting and is used somewhat well. The action scenes are solid. The comedic attempts are hit or miss. I laughed at some but others fell flat. And my investment/engagement was... medium?

I can't fully explain why it didn't work better. Maybe it's because none of the aspects excel. Maybe it's because the entire cast outside of the lead is weak (most of them are TV actors, not movie actors).

I just didn't feel that spark. I definitely didn't mind watching it. But it's not something memorable that I see myself revisiting.

Hopefully 2025 can turn itself around because this is the worst start to the year I can remember.

P. S. Someone brought a noisy baby to my screening so my experience was a bit tainted. Some people are so inconsiderate.

(1 viewing, early screening Marcus Mystery Movie 3/3/2025)

A dark comedy that might not be everyone's cup of tea. If you're able to suspend belief and just go with the absurdity of the situations, Novocaine delivers a decent amount of entertainment.

The pacing is strong, with the film keeping a brisk pace that never lingers too long on one thing. It's filled with bizarre twists that are often more laughable than believable, but that's part of its fun. The performances are engaging in a way that helps you overlook the more painful elements.

Ultimately, if you're in the mood for something offbeat with a good pace and a laughable yet strangely compelling plot, Novocaine might be worth checking out. Just don't expect anything too grounded or serious.

Greetings again from the darkness. In decades past, we wouldn't have been surprised in the least to see a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Dennis Quaid. In fact, in 1973 Jack co-starred with Dennis' brother Randy in one of my favorite films, THE LAST DETAIL. Well, here we are more than fifty years later, and Dennis' (and Meg Ryan's) son Jack Quaid is co-starring with Jack's son Ray Nicholson in what is sure to be one of this year's most outlandish action-comedies. The screenplay is by Lars Jacobson and the film is co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, who also collaborated on BODY (2015).

REM's "Everybody Hurts" plays over the opening credits and sequence which provide hints to the measures Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid, COMPANION, 2025) has taken around his house. With tennis balls shielding sharp corners and a stop to prevent scalding water in the shower, Nathan appears to be quite accident-prone. We learn he's a good-guy Assistant Manager at a local San Diego bank, and profiles as nebbish in his looks and skittish mannerisms ... especially around new bank teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder, THE ICE ROAD, 2021). Sensing his awkwardness and attraction, Sherry takes charge and asks Nathan to lunch. A bite of cherry pie leads Nathan to disclose his rare genetic disorder - he simply cannot feel pain (thus explaining the earlier tennis balls).

One personal disclosure leads to another, which leads to an art gallery, which leads to romantic intimacy and what easily could spin off into a familiar quirky rom-com with these two. Instead, while Nathan is riding an emotional high, three men dressed as Santa Claus violently rob the bank on Christmas Eve and take Nathan's new squeeze Sherry as hostage. This sends our wimpy superhero Nathan (nicknamed Novocaine by junior high bullies) on a rescue mission. His previous fighting experience has been limited to online video game sessions with Roscoe (Jacob Batalon, Ned from Marvel movies), although the two have never actually met.

The fight sequences are quite violent and absurdly comical in how they take advantage of Nathan's blend of physical disorder, nice guy tendencies, and commitment to rescuing his first love. Creativity is at maximum volume as Nathan takes on a red-hot frying pan and boiling oil in a restaurant kitchen skirmish, replete with bodily poundings that would leave anyone else shattered. Things really pick up in a wickedly booby-trapped house that sets up a HOME ALONE joke. Mostly, however, the body horror serves as punchline after punchline ... some surely to tweak even the most squeamish movie goers.

Ray Nicholson (I LOVE YOU FOREVER, 2024) provides a jolt of adrenaline and psychotic violent behavior to ensure no one watching still believes this is a rom-com in the making. His Simon thrives not so much on the money from the robberies as the power and control he displays and the torture he doles out. The finale battles between Simon and Nathan are extreme and creatively unique. While the entertainment value is present, there are still some minor issues with the story and proceedings. The detectives on the case are played by Betty Gabriel (GET OUT, 2017) and Matt Walsh ("Veep"). These two talented actors are given very little to do and it's a shame their roles weren't beefed up a bit. Additionally, there is a key twist that will surprise almost no one. Is it even a twist if they tell you it's coming?

The action scenes are purposefully absurd, and although some bits are over-the-top, others are pure comedy-action brilliance. Jack Quaid is fitting right in to his lead character roles, and Ray Nicholson is mastering the wild-eyed psycho dude. Amber Midthunder shows yet again how immensely talented she is, and it's likely her future roles will take advantage of what she brings on screen. My personal biggest hope is that the filmmakers avoid a sequel ... one which would likely leave us viewers disappointingly numb (had to work in one pun).

Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025.

6/10 STARS - Novocaine was on my list of most anticipated for the year, and I got the chance to watch it in early March for Regal's March 3rd Monday Mystery Movie. It stars Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder and is about a guy who can't feel physical pain/sensations who embarks on a rescue mission after the girl he likes is kidnapped during a bank robbery. There were several things to enjoy about this movie - the premise was interesting and it was comedic to see some of the situations he got himself into during his rescue mission. While I didn't hate this film, I wasn't super in love with it, which surprised me because the trailer made it look pretty fun. Part of the problem is, I think, the casting of Jack Quaid - who seems to play the same type of character in most of his roles - and the writing of the love interest could have probably been improved in ways to make her character a bit more likable. An unnecessary racially divisive line snuck in at the end was nonsensical too. But as a whole, I've seen worse movies, so I don't consider this a waste of my time. Just wish it could have been a bit better. Video review to come shortly.

We caught Novocaine on Monday Mystery Movie night, and what a ride it was! Starring Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, the film starts off almost like a RomCom in the first act-then the second act hits, and it's zoom zoom zoom from there.

This movie is absolutely bonkers, bringing to mind the chaotic energy of Crank (2006). It fully delivers on its promise of an R-rated action/thriller/comedy, with plenty of strong language and graphic violence.

It was definitely a good time, and I'd recommend it to fans of this kind of wild ride-though maybe not for the squeamish.

Enjoy it peeps!

Cheerio!!!

Nate (Jack Quaid) is a mild-mannered bank employee with a genetic disorder. He can feel no pain. It sounds like a superpower, but the problem is that he can seriously injure himself without realising the fact. As a result he leads an extremely risk-averse life. All sharp edges in his home are padded, he avoids solid food for fear of biting his tongue in half, and he sets an alarm on his watch to remind him to go to the bathroom, because his bladder might burst if he forgets.

As a result, he lives a rather lonely life, playing video games with a friend he's never met face to face. That's until he falls for fellow employee Sherry (Amber Midthunder). Maybe things are looking up?

Then the bank is held up by three armed raiders, who get away with a lot of money plus a hostage - Sherry. Nate gives chase - leading him into a series of perils and adventures. He's not helped by the fact that the police aren't sure which side he's on.

The result is stupid (in a good way) but great fun, as Nate receives a series of increasingly-bizarre injuries without them slowing him down at all. There are enough twists to make things interesting, and enough comedy to make this film an enjoyable watch.

Novocaine meaningfully shows the extent you would go to save who you care about. It's filled with hopes, amid lots of action that could easily annihilate the underdog at any moment. There's some romance, more violence, and much more audience concern for the wellbeing of the intended rescuer. As part of displaying heartless crime, be forewarned that Novacaine lacks positive humor. The twists and reveals are nicely unpredictable, though.

Best seen with others for how many challenges and opportunities are dramatized. It's less about guessing what's next, and more about relating and somehow surviving, with the main character's hopes and standards intact.

Novocaine has an interesting concept, some half decent acting, and a decent script. Everything centres around a mild mannered introverted type of guy, Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) that cannot feel pain - "congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP)" - and the comical opportunities that arise from this.

It sort of reminds me of Wolverine's "Regenerative Healing Factor" but dialed down for a more everyday guy. With the wolverine films you get to see numerous funny scenarios that exhibit his regeneration abilities. This film is a bit similar to that.

Is this film especially groundbreaking? No. Does it have inconsistencies? Yes, certain painful stimuli should cause serious injury regardless of whether Novocaine feels anything or not. Is it a fun 1hr 50? Mostly, yes. But it felt as if they could have concluded things earlier than they did. Overall I'd give it a light recommendation.

7/10.

Nate, also known by his childhood nickname Novocaine, lives with CIPA, a condition that means he cannot feel any pain, but also lives a somewhat quiet life. Things get better for Nate when he meets Sherry, and begins to fall in love with her, unfortunately during a robbery she is kidnapped, he does whatever it takes to get her back.

I can't lie, I was looking forward to this, the storyline really did appeal to me, I love the idea of CIPA being used as a plot device, a nice idea, unfortunately it doesn't quite work.

It's an action thriller come black comedy, the trouble is it doesn't know what it wants to be, and it blurs between daft, violent thriller and lame attempt to copy Die Hard.

The shoot 'em up sequences were so bad, once again we have Police who have issues with aiming guns, it just feels daft, with poor Nate slotted in as some sort of mortal superhero.

Jack Quaid is actually really good, I hate dissing the film because he puts in a good performance, but he's up against it with a weak script and confused narrative.

There are some further positives, the tattoos are immense, I'll say that, truly a work of art and the movie's general pacing is good, it does actually move by quickly, sadly it's all a bit jumbled.

5/10.

I really enjoyed the movie. Jack Quaid is amazing as I expected, the action is awesome and brutal. I love all the little details of actually having this disease, little sticky tack on the pencils, setting a timer so your blather doesn't explode, just the little things that also point out that the disease is not something cool. He's a normal person that just can't feel pain and it leads to really awesome fights. I don't see the sound getting more attention, especially in a theater all the gun shots have the weight, all the punches and bone snapping you can feel deep in your chest. Would very much recommend it and would like a sequel.

If Novocaine wasn't so extremely violent and incredibly bloody, I would call it 'lighthearted': it's frivolous, humorous, a touch romantic and often ridiculous. And it's also quite a lot of fun.

Jack Quaid stars as assistant bank manager Nathan 'Novocaine' Caine, who, thanks to a rare genetic disorder, is unable to feel physical pain. When armed criminals rob the bank, taking Nate's new girlfriend Sherry (Amber Midthunder) hostage, he attempts to track down the gang and rescue the girl.

The film's gimmick - that mild-mannered Nathan can be shot, burnt, beaten and broken and not feel the effect - makes for a very entertaining action film, even if, truth be told, the humour doesn't always land. One might expect the novelty to quickly wear off, but writer Lars Jacobson manages to keep it from becoming stale, finding plenty of new and creative ways to inflict damage on his central character.

If you've caught the trailer, which revealed far too much, the impact of certain scenes will probably be diminished, but there is at least one major twist, which they thankfully didn't give away in the previews, that adds an extra level of interest to the story.

6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for opening with Everybody Hurts by R. E. M. (although Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb would have worked as well).

I thought the reviews were a bit hard on the movie. And they kind of are, but kind of aren't, I guess.

If you turn your brain completely off it can be relatively fun. There is a lot of action, there is the chase, there is gore, there is some silliness. The humor could have been closer to Deadpool franchise, IMHO, but it was not even close, and was kind of mediocre for the most part.

If you do turn you brain on, you probably will notice some inconsistencies here and there. Like, people in banks are generally instructed to comply with robbers' requests (source: worked in a bank for 12 years). And people with CIPA probably would still be affected by an electric shock.

I do not think you are meant to turn your brain on. You are supposed to enjoy the shenanigans on the screen and somewhat decent soundtrack. And then forget everything you so within the next couple of hours. Sometimes, that's enough.

Okay, this was a police drama suspense, but with comedy. Not a harpooning, nor a parody or spoof. Not sure I've ever seen anything like that before.

It is very cool the female lead, Amy Midthunder, is an actual member of the Sioux Tribe out of NM. A cutie pie and pretty good young actress. Very nice.

Okay, the premise gave us more than a clue as to some crazy stuff. It's was okay. Some of that funny. (Fingernail removal torture, and our lead having to fake Pain.) But the best? Don't know why, after our hero's video game buddy came to rescue him, when he ran out to escape on his buddy's Harley;, and they flashed the picture that Vespa, I laughed out loud. Not just a Vespa, but an old, used, dirty piece of junk that was "misfiring" on its only cylinder; and smoking like a chimney. His getaway attempt didn't last long. Pretty good slapstick that actually worked.

I didn't expect much from this movie. So since my expectations were low, it obviously exceeded them. The twist toward the end was pretty good.

Pretty good departure in many ways. I figure a 7 is a fair score.

Bob R.

The premise and trailer propelled this action-comedy to being my sixth most anticipated film of the year. As for whether it lived up to my high expectations having seen it, it did, although one issue is somewhat painful to overlook. That was an intentional pun, but it's not as dramatic as that pun would have you believe.

Let's start with Jack Quaid's exceptional performance. He makes Nathan Caine an investing and often funny protagonist as he risks his life to save his dream girl - also, he can't feel pain. That's important, too. Refreshingly, Caine doesn't have a past like a John Wick, a Hutch Mansell, or a Bryan Mills. He's legitimately an ordinary guy who unlocks beast mode like he had previous experience. The rest of the cast did solid work, although Jacob Batalon and Amber Midthunder - despite one decision - were the other standouts alongside Quaid.

Lars Jacobson's screenplay increases the fun on display and contains an unexpected amount of heart. "Novocaine" isn't a straightforward action-comedy as it doubles as a romantic comedy, which I wasn't expecting. First, "Companion," then "Heart Eyes," and now this film provides the perfect case of 2025 bringing back the romantic comedy, albeit while being another genre first. Furthermore, Jacobson's work makes Caine incredibly relatable, and his simple backstory helps him be that.

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen's direction was flashy and fun. Many moments showed creativity in camerawork and editing - added credit goes to cinematographer Jacques Jouffett and editor Christian Wagner - while Berk and Olsen's work enhanced the narrative and script.

The action was an action fan's delight. While not as focused as expected, the film creatively utilizes Caine's incapacity to sense pain to the action's advantage.

Finally, the 1 hour and 50 minute runtime was rarely wasteful, with two exceptions. I felt the movie perfectly balances comedy, action, drama, and romance to create an experience that always engages.

Now, let's get into my mixed feelings on some aspects. I won't spoil anything because I still feel it's worth seeing. Nonetheless, I'm all about being honest in my reviews.

First, there are two to three cop scenes that threaten the film's momentum, but thankfully, they're not as long as I thought they'd be once they began. Using "The Beekeeper" and "Knox Goes Away" as comparisons, the scenes that focused on the people investigating Adam Clay and John Knox dragged on. They don't as much in here.

Now, I'll get into the real thing that bothered me while being vague at the same time. While I enjoyed Midthunder's Sherry, a reveal about forty minutes in bothered me. It made sense in the end, but until then, I was baffled that they decided to do that. I expected a direct approach to her character, but it wasn't, yet they somehow made it work. Making another comparison, but one that makes less sense, "Blink Twice" was a film that started confusingly. I didn't know how to feel about Frida and Jess, and the film wasn't entirely compelling when it began. As the movie continues, especially with that final revelation, it all comes together and makes up for its issues. That was the sensation I got with Sherry, although it wasn't as much of a payoff as "Blink Twice." It was more or less a "Thank God!" moment that the movie's primary issue fixed itself in the end rather than, "Oh, that's what the movie was leading to."

Overall, "Novocaine" might have fallen a wee bit short of expectations, but it was damn fun regardless! Jack Quaid proves he's a leading man, and the entire film proves that you don't need to be part of a franchise to make an entertaining action-comedy.

Technically, screenplay issues aside, the acting, directing, screenplay, cinematography, and editing make for a 9/10 technical score.

For the enjoyment score, I loved many things about "Novocaine," although that reveal dared to weigh down the experience. Otherwise, it's not a stretch to say we need more movies like this from major studios. It doesn't have to be all about IP, and it's films like this that are why. Although the enjoyment score should realistically be a 9, the movie knows what it is and runs with it - and Jack Quaid is so fantastic that I forgive the flaw. Therefore, the enjoyment score is a 10/10. It's not the best movie of the year thus far, as "Companion" remains my favorite, but it's a thrilling time!

It's the end of the review, but I want to focus on "Companion." Coincidentally, Quaid's other vehicle from January was my eighth most anticipated film of the year. I'm shocked that I can't call "Mickey 17" better than that. I can't stress enough how incredible that film was. It's a thriller that quadruples as a horror, a dark comedy, and, as I mentioned earlier, a romcom. Quaid was better here in "Novocaine," but he was excellent as Josh, and Sophie Thatcher gave an astounding performance as Iris. I'd recommend seeing both "Companion" and "Novocaine." People like me who aren't Jack Quaid fans are realizing that this man's a star on the rise that's worth paying attention to. I'm interested and even excited to see what he does next if Josh and Nathan Caine are any indications of his undeniable talents.

Not sure who is target audience for this one. Gory and graphic enough to restrict it for adults and inteligence insulting to make it suitable for tweens only.

I'm not keen on action comedy or horror comedy genres, I want to be thrilled or scared by what I'm watching. Not to sit through lame jokes and slapstick entwined into a movie.

The script is ridiculous and predictable, no suspense, really - and quite original concept is wasted in this case.

I had good fun in one moment only, when protagonist's illness is named - CIPA.

You need to be Polish to get this joke.

I have watched the movie till its end, so it's not a complete lemon, but still...

Clearly, when I sat down to watch this movie, I wasn't expecting to see "The Godfather" or "Apocalypse Now," I fully understand that.

I was expecting something like "John Wick" or "Nobody," something unpretentious and easy to think about.

It was clearly more in line with the latter than the former, so "Novocaine" is a movie to pass the time.

However, I don't think it lives up to its target demographic.

We have an interesting premise, but it remains just that.

Jack Quaid, who plays Hughie from "The Boys," is the exact same role, and despite having good supporting actors in the roles, they are never fully utilized.

So what do we have? An entertaining movie, with plenty of gore, fun action scenes, but no soul.

Just as "Crank," another film in the same vein, became a cult favorite, I highly doubt this one will ever achieve it or even come close.

That aside, there's nothing else to say.

If you need to pass the time, it might be entertaining, but in this demographic, there are much more interesting options.

I expected a pretty standard crime thriller like something straightforward, maybe even predictable. But by the end, this film has more going on beneath the surface. It blends dark humor, unexpected twist, and clever action in a way that makes it stand out.

The story centers on Nathan Caine, a quiet, introverted assistant bank manager living in San Diego. Nathan has a rare condition called congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), meaning he physically can't feel pain. It's an unusual trait that the movie uses to great effect. Instead of making him invincible, it shows how Nathan has to outthink his enemies and use his condition smartly when things go sideways.

At first, his life seems pretty routine, awkward social interactions, a hesitant romance with a coworker, and dealing with people from his childhood. But the film doesn't stay quiet for long. A group of robbers dressed in Santa suits shows up and kicks off a series of events that turn Nathan's world upside down. What I appreciated is that the plot doesn't just unfold in a straight line. It's got some sharp turns and reveals that kept me guessing without feeling forced.

One thing that surprised me was how much comedy is sprinkled throughout. Despite the dark, tense situations, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously. There are moments of awkward humor, dry wit, and even a few absurd situations that had me smile. It adds some levity and keeps the pacing fresh, especially in the first half.

Visually, Novocaine is solid. The cinematography has a cool, slightly moody vibe without being too over-stylized, and the sound design does a great job enhancing both the tension and the action. You really feel the weight of certain moments, whether it's a quiet stare-down or a burst of violence.

That said, not everything hits perfectly. There's a chase scene that, while important to the plot, feels a little sluggish at times. Some shots lack the energy you'd expect from a high-stakes pursuit, it almost feels like it loses momentum when it should be cranking up. It doesn't ruin the movie by any means, but it stood out as one of the weaker parts.

Still, where Novocaine really shines is in its characters and clever action sequences. The film doesn't rely on massive explosions. Instead, it's more about strategy, survival, and seeing how someone like Nathan, who isn't a traditional action hero, handles increasingly dangerous situations.

By the end Novocaine proves itself to be more than just a simple action/thriller. It's sharp, funny, and keeps you on your toes, even if it has slower spots. If you're into thrillers that mix brains with a bit of dark comedy and unique lead characters, this one's worth a watch.

LIKES: Fast Pace Engaging Sound/Music Great Well-Timed Lines Ridiculously Funny Creative Fights/Finishes Good Acting For This Movie A Lot Of Fun References Cinematography Works Summary: The poster of Novocaine tells it as it is: The movie is fast, ridiculous, and straight to the point. It's a fast ride into this odd rescue operation that has a quick intro to set things up before diving into the big event. From there, the movie is like a video game where stages are intense bouts of comedic brawling that have just a few interludes to reset and progress the story. It's got enough logic to make all the theatrics work and the ridiculous idea plausible in this world of extravagant heroism. The fights are creative, a blend of comedy and craziness that works well to keep the audience laughing and promising some of the action alongside it. It's bloody, raw, and vicious, but it's wonderful on so many levels in how diverse they kept things in these fights. A wild collection of sound editing and a fantastic soundtrack accompany the movie and give it that flair that rolls with the craziness. The movie manages to incorporate a lot of references into the movie in the form of props, callouts, quotes, and mimicry that were very welcome, utilized to a grand extent to keep the entertainment coming. Many of these lines were so well-timed that I burst out laughing from how amazing the jab was. The acting helps to bring all of this to life, with Quaid continuing to take his awkward style and twist it comedically in different ways. A stark contrast to his Companions character, I loved the character he got to make and how well he unleashed that quirkiness. Wrap it all up with great camera work to keep the action in the scene, but also find unique angles to get the moment in.

DISLIKES: Too Stupid At Times Suspense of Disbelief Is Sometimes A Bit Much More Character Balance Action Is Reasonable But Bland It Could Have Been A Bit Deeper/Twist Executed Later Watch the Language Hard-to-Watch Scenes Summary: The movie is very stupid, an aggressive twitch that will not be for everyone and may not be noted in the trailers. For one thing, the movie requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. The condition may be plausible, but the degree of injuries he faces approach, if not surpass, John Wick levels of pain. To then have the logic deficit and timing inconsistencies adds the cherries on top to this silliness sundae, which those who must have believability need to avoid. Past that, the movie still needs a bit more balance in some of the characters, a bit more balance for the three groups to help flesh out a little more story, a bit more depth in the mystery, a bit more suspense, and a bit later implementation of the twist to bring that knockout punch. The action is reasonable in this film for the comedic component, a realistic execution of this situation, but one that needed a tad more action to give you the excitement the trailers promised. Fortunately, the movie accomplishes the entertainment value enough to offset this and is more than enough to have you laughing. As for the other limitations, the language is a bit harsh and lazy in execution to the point that it gets annoying and will irritate those with low sensitivity to cursing language. In addition, my friends who struggle to watch bouts of torture, suffering, and extreme cruelty to the human body are going to need to divert from this film as well. The blood alone could be sickening, but the movie only gets worse in terms of suffering and gore as it continues, and the camera captures every ounce of detail in big-screen glory. Please make sure to exercise caution.

The VERDICT: Novocaine is nuts, fun, and just plain popcorn-munching flick that I've needed for a while. It's a ludicrous concept that requires great blindness to reality, yet it keeps itself grounded to not get too out there to be obnoxious. A well-cast crew helps bring the comedy and characters to life, nailing the dialog with exceptional finesse, awesome inflections, and the right amount of emotion for every moment. The action is not as composed as John Wick, but for the story and comedy, it works to be entertaining and keep the mood elevated and supportive of the fast pace. Yet, the movie is very hard to watch for sensitive viewers, earning its R rating with pride at the violence it brings to the screen. Novocaine is a blood sport that tries to tone it down with silliness but still has plenty of skin-crawling moments when the torture is applied or a particular blow is illustrated so graphically. Throw in that the logic of the movie is going to be less appeasable to those with a sensitivity to such a plot. Is it worth a trip to the theater? Yeah, for all the visual effects and fun, it works for most people just looking for a good time, while others can choose to hold out for the theater if you are looking for something with more layers and suspense.

My scores are: Action/Comedy/Thriller: 8.0 Movie Overall: 7.0.

Idk, the writing was horrendous. It was so basic and ... it felt like a film school graduate fresh out of school submitted a formulaic script he wrote and thankfully he knew somebody who knew somebody and got it made.

By the way, the lead actor, he was too goofy. He became annoying during his first scene in the restaurant kitchen. Cracking jokes while fighting all of a sudden? So cringey and corny.

I like that the movie was gory and it should've been given the subject.

I also like the twist. The cinematography was ok as well.

But I have a question-just because he's numb to pain, does that mean he doesn't die? If you get shot and don't feel it, ok, but doesn't the body still feel affected? I mean you're losing blog, have torn arteries, and maybe injures organs. Too cringey.

Overall, this is a skip. Wait for it to come on streaming.

I got to see early screening on Saturday even though I felt weird that day - I kept my plan even got a screwdriver drink from awesome bartender Ian! Magnificent thrill ride even with the goofy moments it's an enriching amazing action, comedy, partial horror. I love that amazing entertainment value so worth the praise/high ratings!

Jack Quaid has stayed busy in the last year with Companion, most likely filming The Boys and now Novocaine which hit the spot. Amazing experience about Nate with a rare condition of not going through regular physical pain such a fun concept. I loved it all and hope my review gets appreciation I have over 2 thousand I wish could be more known!

"Novocaine" is a strange, stylish, and surprisingly fun dive into dark comedy and neo-noir absurdity. It blends crime, deception, and a touch of madness into a compact film that doesn't take itself too seriously-and that's exactly what makes it work.

The story spirals quickly into chaos, with oddball characters and unexpected turns keeping things off-kilter in the best way. The atmosphere is slick, the pacing l tight, and the tone dances nicely between deadpan and manic.

I had a blast watching it. It's not a perfect film-some moments feel a bit over the top or underexplained-but it embraces its weirdness so unapologetically that it's hard not to be entertained. "Novocaine" is a little gem that knows exactly the kind of ride it wants to be. A 7.5 from me!

The concept is great, but it gets old quickly. It's what happens when you have a good concept but poor execution, bad story, and boring action sequences. They could've done so much with it, but it just doesn't really deliver both from the comedic standpoint and action standpoint.

Compare to movies of similar genre of action comedy like Nobody, this film just seems very generic, cliche, and incoherent. It gets worse as it goes, the beginning was actually quite good. By the ending it was just a mess, multiple fake endings making you wish each time it would just end already.

The characters and story inconsistency makes it really hard to follow or believe.

4/10.

Let's be honest here. If you've seen the trailer, you've basically seen the whole movie. The best and most exciting parts are in it, and the rest is just a filler. Most of it is an empty filler at that. Dude was whipped from a one time date. Talk about desperate. Some of the things said and done we're kinda whatever. Entertaining to watch and fun. Yet not something you really seek to watch again as the scenes become more cringe than Entertaining. At least that's my assumption. Still I didn't hate it, and i still enjoyed watching it. So it lands as 7 for a basically alright movie in my opinion. 6.5 is more like it though.

Watched at AMC on 3-27-2025.