Novocaine (2025) is an action comedy directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen that stars Jack Quaid as Nathan “Nate” Caine, a bank assistant manager with congenital insensitivity to pain (CIPA). This unusual trait makes him immune to physical pain, resulting in a series of humorous and violent events when his coworker, Sherry (Amber Midthunder), is kidnapped during a bank robbery.
Critics have given the film mixed reviews. The Associated Press characterizes it as “an action-comedy that follows Nathan Caine, a man with congenital insensitivity to pain (CIPA),” stating that while the plot “stretches plausibility at times,” it compensates with “clever sequences and comedic timing.” However, the assessment indicates that the “extended runtime and multiple endings may feel excessive.”
Vulture praises Quaid’s portrayal, saying he brings “humor and authenticity” to his role, blending violent action scenes with humorous moments. However, the review states that the film’s “constant escalation of violence becomes exhausting and slips into the familiar territory of action clichés.”
Despite these mixed reviews, “Novocaine” debuted at number one with $3.9 million on its first day. The picture is expected to gross between $8 and $10 million over the weekend, reflecting a strong welcome among audiences.
A Protagonist Built for This Premise
Nathan Caine (Quaid), an associate manager at a San Diego trust credit union, suffers from congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis. His illness prevents him from feeling physical injury, resulting in a life of caution and self-imposed solitude. His daily routine is rigorous, centered on reminders to eat, drink, and relieve oneself because his body lacks natural warning signs. The film begins with R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” playing over Nathan’s daily rituals—blending his meal to avoid biting his tongue and painstakingly ensuring his bladder does not rupture—a scene that establishes a tone of subtle, deadpan humor before the film devolves into complete mayhem.
When Nathan’s coworker Sherry (Amber Midthunder) expresses interest in him, he is confused about how to approach intimacy. Their friendship takes an unexpected turn when they prank one of Nathan’s many childhood bullies and spend the night together. Nathan’s confidence has shifted as a result of this, and the blossoming romance is thrown off track when armed robbers attempt a bank heist and kidnap Sherry. Nathan, with no plan and little expertise, borrows a police cruiser and chases them down, determined to save Sherry.
Violence as Spectacle
The film centers Nathan’s trip on his physical imperviousness, portraying it as both an asset and a source of hideous spectacle. His pursuit of the gang leads him into more vicious confrontations, including one in a restaurant kitchen where he murders a thief while suffering serious burns in deep frying. Later, a booby-trapped house traps him and forces him to rely on another gang member for protection. He is only saved by Roscoe (Jacob Batalon), a longstanding internet acquaintance whom he has never met in person, who misinterprets Nathan’s desperate appeal for aid as an invitation to finally meet face to face.
Batalon gives a strong supporting performance that recalls his scene-stealing charisma from the MCU’s Spider-Man movie. More importantly, Roscoe’s decision to help Nathan emphasizes how charming he is, despite his social ineptitude. That likability is critical because it keeps spectators on his side, even as his actions become more extreme.
The film reinforces the impression that Nathan’s ability to endure pain permits him to indulge in excess. He suffers horrible injuries that would render anyone else immobile, but the spectacle of his tenacity becomes part of the film’s twisted allure. It also justifies, at least narratively, the equally severe brutality he exacts in response. The audience is almost driven to cheer when Nathan delivers kill shots since the folks on the receiving end are completely, irredeemably awful.
But the film doesn’t stop there; it makes sure Nathan’s injuries are as terrible, as if to maintain equilibrium. His bruised body provides a moral contrast, making the punishment he administers seem less needless.
Cast
- Jack Quaid as Nathan “Novocaine Movie” Caine, a bank executive who cannot feel pain.
- Amber Midthunder as Sherry Margrave, Nathan’s love interest is kidnapped by bank robbers.
- Ray Nicholson as Simon Greenly, one of the bank robbers.
- Jacob Batalon as Roscoe Dixon, Nathan’s online gaming friend.
- Betty Gabriel as Mincy Langston, an officer of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
- Matt Walsh as Coltraine Duffy, another SDPD officer.
- Conrad Kemp as Andre Clark, a bank robber.
- Evan Hengst as Ben Clark, Andre’s brother and fellow bank robber.
- Craig Jackson as Nigel, Nathan’s manager.
- Lou Beatty Jr. as Earl, one of Nathan’s bank clients.
- Garth Collins as Zeno, a tattoo artist and acquaintance of Ben.
Of Likability and Organic (Onscreen) Chemistry
Quaid’s acting is critical to conveying this balance, particularly in how he handles the film’s odd humorous tone. While many actors would use excessive arrogance to play a character in his position, Quaid instead employs an awkward introversion that reveals a real desire for connection. He doesn’t have to emulate Ryan Reynolds’ wisecracking antihero persona; his comedic timing is based on discomfort rather than confidence, making Nathan a considerably more endearing lead than the film’s corpse count would suggest.
This unconventional method also influences his connection with Midthunder, which is palpable and, for the most part, organic. Their dynamic, which is based on mutual loneliness rather than a forced love storyline, provides an emotional thread for the film, making the audience want to stick together by the conclusion. In a film full of murder and insanity, their relationship provides just enough grounding to keep the turmoil from becoming a meaningless spectacle.
Novocaine Film and the Comfort of Justified Carnage
Nathan’s condition makes him ideal for the genre’s absurdity—his inability to feel pain means that his injuries, while horrible, are frequently accompanied by a dark sense of humor. A scene in which he hardly reacts to impaling his hand with a poorly thrown knife emits the same matter-of-fact intensity as him straining to eat a slice of lemon. This absurdist streak precludes Novocaine from delving too far into the bleakness that so often characterizes films of this genre. Instead, it embraces a lighter, almost comedic tone amidst the violence, establishing its reputation as an oddball, blood-soaked crowd-pleaser.
Despite its energy and technical expertise, Novocaine Lyrics never fully explores the consequences of its premise. The film relies on its protagonist’s likability to ensure that the audience never wonders whether his deeds exceed a line. It’s amusing, and even appealing at points, but its length (110 minutes) stretches out a subject that could have been crisper in a shorter runtime. While it gives a physical rush, it leaves an unsettling aftertaste that lasts longer than the bruises.
Consultation
“Novocaine” (2025) is an action-comedy film directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, with Jack Quaid playing Nathan Caine. Nathan has an unusual illness that prevents him from experiencing pain. The plot follows Nathan as he attempts to save a bank teller, Sherry, who is kidnapped during a robbery. The film combines humor and action, and while some reviews praise Jack Quaid’s performance, others believe the plot lacks momentum. It debuted in theaters on March 14, 2025, and has received mixed reviews. The film grossed $8.7 million in its debut weekend.
