I Wanted to Love Jack Quaid’s Action Debut, But Here’s Why I Didn’t

by

Over the past six years, Jack Quaid has made remarkable strides in proving himself to be a versatile and gifted actor. With roles on television such as The Boys and Star Trek: Lower Decks, as well as movies like Plus One, Scream, and Companion, he’s demonstrated an ability to play diverse characters ranging from charming eccentrics to chilling villains. His performances have consistently displayed charisma and screen presence that leave me eagerly awaiting his future work. In fact, I’ve been eagerly waiting for months now to see him take the lead in an action film.

Novocaine

The film is scheduled to premiere on March 14, 2025. This production is directed by the dynamic duo Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, with a screenplay penned by Lars Jacobson. The stellar cast includes Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, and Jacob Batalon. The movie carries an R rating due to its strong depiction of violence, disturbing visuals, and frequent use of language. Its running time is approximately 110 minutes.

In Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s film “Novocaine,” my expectations were met with Jack Quaid delivering another charming performance filled with wit, humor, and likeability. However, the movie leans too much on its central concept – a pain-insensitive protagonist – which results in an overreliance on this unique premise rather than developing a robust narrative. While there are many enjoyable scenes and a few clever moments, they often feel underdeveloped beyond their initial idea, suggesting that the creative process focused more on exploiting the hero’s unusual medical condition than on constructing a compelling storyline.

In the movie, Quaid portrays Nathan Caine, a tranquil, young bank assistant in San Diego who’s lived a sheltered life due to Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA). For months, he harbored affection for Sherry (Amber Midthunder), and his world changed when she invited him to an art gallery. Their fantastic night together opened up new perspectives and attitudes in Nathan’s life.

The following day, the euphoria is shattered as a group of thieves dressed as Santa (Ray Nicholson, Conrad Kemp, Evan Hengst) pull off a daring heist and kidnap Sherry in the process during their chaotic escape. Overwhelmed with love for the first time and worried that the investigators (Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh) might not act swiftly enough, Nathan takes matters into his own hands, bravely risking himself to save his newly-acquired girlfriend.

Novocaine is a bit empty beyond its one big idea.

The screenplay for “Novocaine,” written by Lars Jacobson, offers more depth than the recent film “Love Hurts” from last month. While it shares a similar premise of an ordinary man uncovering his hidden toughness, what sets “Novocaine” apart in the action subgenre can unfortunately be its downfall. The movie is both overly dramatic and underdeveloped, much like a microwaved snack that’s burnt on the outside but cold inside. It seems as though the script was crafted by listing all the hardships Nathan could face, which were then inserted into an otherwise typical storyline.

Approximately midway through the movie, I found myself questioning a significant plot element that seemed illogical. Although a resolution was later presented, it felt overly familiar as it has been used in numerous stories before. This is one of the main issues with the film Novocaine, as there’s little evidence of genuine innovation. It seems to rely on its best concept, but like a raft made of bound driftwood, it floats, yet lacks the strength to carry much weight.

While the action is fun, it doesn’t take full advantage of the film’s hook stylistically.

The main character’s unique abilities, such as his insensitivity to pain, are one of the movie’s strongest points. It’s entertaining to watch Nathan perform actions that most people can’t, like wielding a hot cast iron pan in a kitchen brawl or using fists filled with shattered glass during a fight in a tattoo parlor. This offsets the fact that his lack of training makes the fights seem less polished and elegant. However, I must add that the film could have been more intense.

In Novocaine, though Nathan doesn’t experience pain, the viewers instinctively picture their own reactions in similar situations. However, the film doesn’t fully utilize this opportunity presented by Nathan’s condition. Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen occasionally exploit it (as seen in a scene focusing intensely on Nathan’s fingernails being pulled out), but they tend to keep these moments limited. Instead, they rely heavily on dramatic slow motion sequences, which they use effectively but without any distinctive style.

Novocaine is a spotlight moment for Jack Quaid, and it’s a success in that respect.

One compelling reason to watch the film “Novocaine” is primarily the captivating performance by Jack Quaid, who continues to shine as a charismatic leading man. Throughout the movie, viewers spend just two days with the character Nathan, witnessing his life accelerate from a standstill to a high-speed chase (from being terrified of solid foods to stealing a police car to pursue a gang of armed criminals). However, Quaid’s charisma makes this transformation feel seamless. He infuses the character with a magnetic presence that keeps you invested and rooting for his positive change. Moreover, he demonstrates comedic prowess by eliciting laughter through his innocent struggles in dangerous situations and physical comedy. While there are similarities to Huey from “The Boys“, Nathan possesses his own unique energy.

The movie “Novocaine” isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t fully live up to its intriguing premise. It might be wise to have modest expectations before watching and get more enjoyment out of it. However, I don’t think this is a film that will linger in my memory come December 2025 when reflecting on the cinema of 2025.

Read More

2025-03-08 22:14