Novocaine Review: An Electric Jack Quaid Headlines Gruesomely Goofy Action Comedy

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Occasionally, you might visit the cinema seeking a Shakespearean experience, while other times, you’re just eager to witness Jack Quaid and Ray Nicholson engage in an intense fight. If you will, we could call it a clash between privileged action heroes with questionable paternal figures. Truth be told, our preferences are rather straightforward. It’s fortunate that Jack Quaid radiates charisma, and his chemistry with Amber Midthunder is commendable. Moreover, the film “Novocaine” offers a variety of imaginative action sequences that can be gruesome one moment, absurd the next, and sometimes both at once. Although it might not appeal to everyone, it seems to set the bar for this particular genre of action-comedy.

Nate Caine (portrayed by Jack Quaid) is a typical office worker, serving as an assistant manager at a San Diego bank and harboring affection for one of the tellers, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). However, he conceals an extraordinary trait: he’s genetically incapable of experiencing pain. This seemingly advantageous condition, however, comes with numerous day-to-day challenges that make it a heavy burden to carry.

Due to a unique medical condition, he can’t consume solid food without the risk of biting his tongue and not noticing. He also needs reminders from timers to use the bathroom because his body doesn’t send signals when it’s time to go. However, physical pain serves a purpose for most people. Yet, following an extraordinary encounter with Sherry, he finds a way to make his insensitivity beneficial. Intriguingly, on the very next day, their bank is targeted by a group of Santa-dressed robbers, headed by Simon (Ray Nicholson). When they kidnap Sherry, our protagonist will go to extreme lengths to rescue her.

Jack Quaid’s quirky star power

In all of Nate’s grueling adventures, it’s evident that Jack Quaid, fresh from his breakout role in “The Boys,” plays a crucial part in making “Novocaine” effective. His character’s ability to endure pain wouldn’t have sustained the entire film without Quaid’s skillful acting decisions. At moments, he seems exasperated by the ordeals he’s subjected to, but Nate’s upbeat demeanor keeps the tone balanced despite the film’s intense violence. Typically, the protagonist in an action comedy like this would react dramatically, such as screaming or fainting, when faced with severe injuries like a crossbow bolt through the leg. However, Nate merely shows mild annoyance, unable to remove it before accepting his fate and walking around with an arrow sticking comically from his thigh. Our hero certainly demonstrates resilience.

The blossoming relationship between Nate and Sherry is charming, yet once “Novocaine” starts rolling, it’s a relentless whirlwind of activity. The movie consistently finds innovative ways to portray Nate inflicting harm on himself and others, with virtually any object that could potentially be dangerous becoming a weapon in his hands. Regrettably, Nate often becomes his own casualty during these instances. This film, being an action-packed production, occurs on a smaller scale: it’s not about Nate battling a massive army, but rather three bank robbers. As a result, “Novocaine” can develop its intricate hand-to-hand combat sequences in a way that makes it seem plausible that Nate isn’t instantly killed or severely incapacitated right away. (Keep in mind, we’re willing to stretch our disbelief for the sake of enjoying this movie, as “Novocaine,” like many excellent action comedies, takes place within its own unique reality.)

Action comedy with heart

In this film, every actor precisely understands the kind of movie they are part of, mirroring Quaid’s performance perfectly. The chemistry between Quaid and Amber Midthunder is endearing, and her character, a woman with a past, is believable enough to create a surprising emotional bond. Ray Nicholson delivers an electrifying portrayal as Simon, a villain whose unpredictable lines and sociopathic traits make him more than just your typical antagonist. Matt Walsh, playing one of the police officers chasing bank robbers, is delightfully eccentric, adding his own quirks to the bumbling cop persona. However, Jacob Batalan as Roscoe, Nate’s gaming buddy who gets caught up in the chaos, seems like he’s only there for plot convenience and humor. Yet, with time, even he becomes more endearing to the audience.

Novocaine” is an exhilarating, high-octane movie that doesn’t shy away from depicting intense, gruesome violence that might make you cover your eyes at times. However, what sets it apart from other action films is the emotional depth it offers, thanks to Jack Quaid’s captivating performance. His character, Nate Caine, is someone you can’t help but cheer for. The creative ways he transforms himself into a deadly weapon are both shocking and evoke a strong response. Although “cute” might not be the appropriate term for this movie, its unique blend of brutal action with an unexpected touch of sweetness sets it apart among action comedies.

“Novocaine” hits theaters on March 14, 2025.

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2025-03-08 20:43