Novocaine Film Analysis: Is It Worth Watching?

Novocaine – 2025

Directors Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Screenplay Lars Jacobson
Starring Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, Jacob Batalon

At this point, Jack Quaid has played out the role of bumbling hero quite a few years in the TV Show The Boys. The sight of Quaid in the trailer for Novocaine elicited groans when the commercial first appeared in theaters months ago. It took me a while to want to see this film even as it was playing on Paramount+. Even though I like the guy, he’s been in a ton of stuff lately. Amber Midthunder was absolutely electric in the most recent Predator live action Prey. A chance to see her, even if she spends time in the fridge, would be worth a shot.

The film starts with lonely guy Nathan “Novocaine” Caine, given the nickname in Jr. High because of his inability to feel pain. He has all sorts of workarounds. This includes a diet of soft foods. He sets a three hour alarm to remember to hit the latrine. He also stays away from dates. He works as an assistant manager at a San Diego Credit Union.

One of his tellers, Sherry (Midthunder), breaks through all of the barriers he puts up. She has a wonderful date with him. Then the next day the CU is robbed and Sherry is taken hostage. For reasons only a movie exec could explain, Nathan goes after the robbers.

What fires is a sadistic ritual of fights and literal torture at times. Some of the lines are good. Most of the fights are the height of banality. The amount of blood loss from the first fight alone would have made him pass out. Regardless, he drove the car to his next encounter.

The flawed logic of his refusal to engage with the police comes up over and over. Hearing him explain it once is enough. Repeated explanations indicate a lack of screenwriting skill.

The nemeses are bland white guys. The surprise of the film is no surprise and revealed way to early to have an effect.

Midthunder is muted to the point of non-existence. Quaid is game to have his body parts mangled and bloodied. Beyond the carnage, there just isn’t enough there to keep the viewer engaged.

(** out of *****)