I watched Novocaine, drawn by its wild premise, but it landed at a middling 6.5/10, needing a trim and more laughs to truly shine.
This action-comedy follows Nathan (Jack Quaid), a bank clerk with a rare condition preventing pain sensation, who turns hero to save his kidnapped crush, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). The concept is fresh, but Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s direction, while stylish, overstays its 110-minute runtime with sluggish pacing. Lars Jacobson’s script starts strong but leans on predictable action beats, missing chances for sharper humor to match its gonzo premise.
Quaid’s charming, awkward Nathan carries the film, and Midthunder’s fiery Sherry adds spark, though their chemistry feels forced. Supporting players like Jacob Batalon bring energy, but Ray Nicholson’s villain lacks menace. The gore-heavy set pieces are inventive but grow repetitive, and the film could’ve been funnier and 20 minutes shorter to avoid dragging.
Novocaine is a decent, bloody romp with a great cast, but trimming filler and boosting wit could’ve made it a knockout.
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