Novocaine mixes slapstick, shootouts and heart as Jack Quaid takes a beating and keeps on ticking
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Novocaine is a new action-comedy crime film that takes audiences on a wild ride, blending wince-inducing thrills with slapstick humour and a touch of romance. If the opening scene suggests a W Channel or Hallmark-style love story, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong—but buckle up because the story quickly shifts direction.
Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, known for Villains (2019) and Significant Other (2022), launch into a chaotic adventure that plays like Crank meets Home Alone, with a dash of Die Hard, The Naked Gun and the occasional nod to the 1980s series The Greatest American Hero.
 Novocaine shows Jack Quaid at his best: bruised, battered and still hilarious. |
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Jack Quaid (The Boys, Scream) stars as Nathan (Nate) Caine, a quiet, mild-mannered assistant bank manager who secretly admires his co-worker Sherry, played by Amber Midthunder (Prey, The Ice Road). When a group of armed robbers storms the branch, kills Nate’s boss, steals a fortune and takes Sherry hostage, Nate throws caution to the wind and leaps into action. His secret weapon? Nate has congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), a rare condition that renders him unable to feel physical pain.
What follows is nearly two hours of wild, cringe-inducing chaos as Nate is crushed, burned, pierced, stabbed, impaled and generally wrecked in stunts that would make Wile E. Coyote proud. The injuries pile up, but so do the laughs. At times, he seems more like a cartoon character in a tie than an ordinary man. And while he takes his lumps, Nate dishes out equally absurd payback to the villains he encounters along the way. The physical comedy is relentless, and Quaid’s everyman charm makes him an ideal punching bag for audiences to root for.
As if things weren’t complicated enough, Nate’s heroics put him on the wrong side of the law. After “borrowing” a police car to chase the suspects, he ends up in a cat-and-mouse game with officers who think he’s part of the heist. Despite the chaos, his focus never wavers: save Sherry, no matter what it takes. The film balances action and heart, turning this soft-spoken banker into one of the most unlikely action heroes in recent memory.
What elevates Novocaine beyond its premise is its commitment to tone. It never winks too hard at the audience, nor does it lose sight of the human stakes. The chemistry between Quaid and Midthunder keeps the film grounded, even when the action reaches cartoonish extremes. Supporting characters—from over-the-top henchmen to bumbling law enforcement—enhance the absurdity without veering into parody. There’s a touch of sweetness beneath the slapstick that gives the film surprising emotional resonance.
The pacing rarely falters, with tightly edited action scenes and a script that leans into physical comedy without feeling repetitive. The soundtrack complements the madness, shifting from soft rom-com tones to pulsing, high-energy beats as the story escalates.
Novocaine is a roller-coaster movie that never takes itself too seriously. Berk and Olsen strike a careful balance between adrenaline and absurdity. Quaid is pitch-perfect in the lead. He manages to bring both comic timing and emotional sincerity to a character who spends much of the film getting battered. Midthunder brings warmth and groundedness, creating believable chemistry that gives the story real heart.
If you’re looking for a film packed with outrageous action, laugh-out-loud moments and a surprising amount of charm, Novocaine is just what the doctor ordered. Just don’t be surprised if you wince every time Nate takes—or gives—another hit.
Novocaine is in theatre only—now.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9 out of 5 stars)
Greg Gazin, also known as Gadget Guy or Gadget Greg, is a Troy Media columnist with deep expertise in technology. He’s also a respected speaker on communication, leadership, and tech-related topics. Beyond writing, Gazin is a versatile professional who works as a facilitator, blogger, podcaster, and author. His broad range of skills and insights has made him a prominent and influential voice in the tech community.
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