Novocaine
Directed by Dan Berk and Robert OlsenWhen the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.
Cast of Novocaine
Novocaine Ratings & Reviews
- MeghannB1d agoOk, hi, Jack Quaid. It's nice to see a new face in role that could have been lobbed over to Ryan Reynolds or Chris Pratt. The movie was fun, moved at a good clip, and had jarring moments of brutality and gore, which gave it an edge. The idea that the man had never tried pie in his lifetime seemed a bit far fetched, though. ;)
- tellum1d agoA basic action movie with the twist that the hero takes massive amounts of damage but feels no pain. Some funny gags are done with the premise but in that way it’s very similar to Deadpool. A funny enough movie for a date night.
- jackmeat3d agoMy quick rating - 6.8/10. In Novocaine, directors Dan Berk & Robert Olsen deliver a satisfyingly twisted genre cocktail with equal parts action, dark comedy, and body horror-lite. Anchored by a surprisingly earnest performance from Jack Quaid, this film leans into the absurdity of its premise with confidence and style. The story follows Nate, a charmingly average guy with one very specific quirk: he cannot feel pain. It’s a rare neurological condition that has rendered him physically impervious to suffering—at least, on the surface. When his dream girl, Sherry (played with a believable wide-eyed sweetness by Amber Midthunder), is abruptly kidnapped, Nate is thrown into a violent, unpredictable underworld, where his condition becomes both his biggest weapon and a deeply unnerving liability. Yes, the “guy goes on a chaotic rampage for the girl of his dreams” trope is here in full force—following hot on the heels of Renner, which played with similar ideas. And yes, the damsel dynamic is growing a little tired. But Novocaine distinguishes itself by leaning hard into its offbeat tone. It’s aware of the cliché, and it toys with it enough to keep things from feeling stale. And always a welcome addition for comedic relief is his online gaming buddy, Roscoe, played by Jacob Batalon. Lars Jacobson’s script plays cleverly with Nate’s condition, particularly in the action scenes. There’s no gory splatterfest here, but the violence has a visceral impact—think bruised bones, burned flesh, and self-surgery scenarios that will make your stomach knot. It’s not graphic in the traditional sense, but it hits hard thanks to smart camera work and Quaid’s physical performance. Although that thumb scene...well, you'll see. The film finds a unique niche between cringeworthy injury and deadpan humor, and it thrives there. What really sells it is the pacing. This movie moves. There’s no time for emotional wallowing or needless exposition—every beat pushes Nate deeper into a world that’s more cartoonishly brutal than realistic. There are twists, of course, and most of them are deliberately ridiculous—bordering on parody—but that’s part of the appeal. You don’t watch Novocaine expecting logic. You watch it to see how far Nate will go, what weird weapon he’ll improvise next, and how many times he can fall down a flight of stairs before even he starts to wonder if he should stop. Production-wise, the film is clean and focused. The action choreography feels tight, and the editing is sharp, helping the comedy land without undercutting the intensity. The scenes are thoughtfully constructed—even the more outrageous moments have a strange precision to them. Jack Quaid proves he’s got leading-man chops, especially for roles that ask for physicality and charm with a dash of madness. His performance grounds the story just enough to make it emotionally engaging, even when the script veers into the bizarre. Novocaine isn’t trying to be a masterpiece of psychological depth. It’s a wild, occasionally painful ride that blends absurdity with action in an entertaining and surprisingly effective way. It knows what it is, and it doesn’t flinch, literally or figuratively.
- RyezooMarch 15, 2025This is a blast. Hilarious and some squirm inducing violence. Some nice surprises and some great chemistry between the leads. Jack Quaid is off to a great start in 2025! My one nitpick is that this movie runs maybe 10 mins to long. Still absolutely worth a watch and a strong recommend!
- Rayne thunderApril 7, 2025Very attractive guy, idek remember wgat the move was abt he was so hot
- Psynister5d agoThis was a fun little movie with all the right action and humor I was expecting before I hit play. If you’re looking for a good light hearted movie to watch with your significant other without having to take it too seriously then this one will totally fit the bill!
- Skelton_19885d agoNovocaine is a wildly entertaining action-comedy with a brilliantly original premise and standout performances. Jack Quaid stars as Nathan Caine, a mild-mannered bank employee who feels no physical pain—a trait that sends him barreling into a thrilling rescue mission when his colleague Sherry (played by the magnetic Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped. The direction by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen is sharp and stylish, blending slick action with a smart sense of humor. The film’s pace never lets up, delivering punchy set-pieces and clever twists that keep things fresh and exciting from start to finish. Quaid brings heart, humor, and a relatable charm to the role, making his journey both exhilarating and unexpectedly emotional. The concept—someone who literally can’t feel pain—adds a fresh layer to the genre, leading to action scenes that are inventive and unforgettable. With just the right mix of grit, wit, and originality, Novocaine carves out its own space in the action-comedy world. It’s a film that feels cool, creative, and genuinely fun—an easy recommendation. The only reason it’s not a full 5/5 is because that score is reserved for the absolute all-time greats. But Novocaine comes incredibly close.
- COCOMarch 11, 2025Jack Quaid world domination and I’m here for it. It’s been a while since we’ve had a movie where a normal flawed dude reluctantly kick ass and gets the girl so it’s nice to see a perfect mixture of a quirky and cheerful version of John Wick with a touch of Kickass all over it. Even though the premise is pretty silly, the bloodshed throughout is more than enough to make up for it’s flaws. Don’t let this distract you from the fact that Jacob Batalon is in-fact 6’4 and looks like Jason Momoa.
- DeezNuttsi5d agoNovocaine puts you on a real roller coaster. ...not of emotions, but of mix of optimism and pure disappointment. The start of the movie is good enough to grab your attention. Shortly after, you start to question why it seems nobody put any thought into the writing of this movie. They act as though the protagonist is invincible simply because his nerves don't communicate pain to his brain. Also, the police in the movie are incompetent. Acting is subpar. The scenes that are meant to have you on the edge of your seat happen so often that you just start to roll your eyes when it happens. You could create a drinking game for how many times a gun is put to someone's head to create suspense. In the end, I'm only glad I watched it so I am able to warn others NOT to. Final note: The left wingers in Hollywood decided to throw in a stupid line at the end. After mentioning a list of his charges, the cop says "You're a white guy who works for a bank, so we just took it easy on you." 🙄
- rampage98April 11, 2025I did like how they let the audience in on the fun with the pain that "should" have come. He couldn’t feel pain until he fell in love with a bank robber. Turns out heartbreak hurts more than bullets.
- milan.gu5d agoFunny and entertaining
- gilligan50006d agoOver the top and completely ridiculous…but still a fun coming of age love story with some twists along the way. Think kick-ass guns akimbo nobody level of entertainment. If you’re into those, you’ll like this.
- djaggApril 11, 2025Nice comedic yelling and ragdolling lol really solid physical stuff overall. Some good bits! Are we tired of seeing Jack Quaid in this role yet? lol How are you going to open with that song? Ugh lol What - this dude’s never had sex? Absolutely no way. There had to be an Arrested Development fan on the writing team that put in that “Mr. Manager” line. How’s he running around doing all this with a chicken-fried hand lol Note: “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” is one of my favorite songs of all-time and even I think that placement was a little chsssy
- Delroy G JamesApril 9, 2025I'm not sure how to explain it, but I liked the concept, but something was off. Maybe its how they reveal a key plot twist early in the flim. Besides that it is fine, but it felt like an origin story that could later turn into a vigilante series because he can't feel pain and that could make him the everyday hero. I watched it and semi-enjoy it, so you should do the same. Just don't make the mistake I made and think you can predict how the story goes.
- Mikey SmithApril 8, 2025What a fun movie. I genuinely enjoyed myself. It’s a great concept, insane action scenes and creativity. It’s wrapped up like a blockbuster, but it felt still low scale. Lot of funny moments, I especially enjoyed the kitchen fight scene (iykyk). Jack Quaid was great, so was Ray Nicholson. Definitely watch it if you can withstand seeing some body gore. Really fun. 3.5/5.
