Film Review: ‘Novocaine’ is a Fun and Gory Action Comedy that Gets a Lot Out of Its Premise

There’s something fun about seeing a high concept film get a lot of mileage out of its premise. The concept for Novocaine is a juicy one, particularly given how creative things can get. A man that can’t feel pain dropped into a violent quest? There’s lots of possibilities at play. At the same time, there’s definitely the risk that the joke will wear thin and things will stop being amusing. Luckily, the movie manages to get a lot out of its premise, making for a mix of action and comedy that will satisfy fans of both genres.

Novocaine goes pretty hard when it comes to blood and gore, especially for an action comedy. Those squeamish about blood, bones breaking, and bodily harm may cringe at some of the things our hero goes through. The thing is, the premise allows us to laugh more than we otherwise would in a straight action flick, so while you’re not rooting for more carnage, when it happens, you do tend to end up giggling.

Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is a meek bank executive with a rare genetic disorder. Ever since birth, he has been unable to feel any pain. Bullied as a child, he lives a very safe and sheltered life, at least until his co-worker Sherry (Amber Midthunder) starts talking to him. She’s the girl of his dreams, and it’s only when she begins showing interest in him does he come somewhat out of his shell. Then, the bank is robbed, with one of the robbers kidnapping Sherry after murdering the bank manager. Beaten and left without a second thought, Nate would normally have just laid there and done nothing. Not anymore, however.

Determined to rescue Sherry, Nate pursues Simon (Ray Nicholson), the villain who has her. While he’s doing this, the police (Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh) pursue him, mistaking him for a suspect. The more he goes after her, the more he runs into bad guys, all of whom batter and bruise him, though Nate can take a licking and keep on ticking. It all builds up to a savage ending, though a pretty satisfying one as well.

Jack Quaid is an unlikely yet very enjoyable comedic action hero. He leans into the inconveniences of his disorder, which leads to some really fun sequences. A booby-trapped home that keeps injuring him is a comic highlight. Amber Midthunder is an interesting choice for a love interest and plays the role differently than most others would, leading to a unique feeling to their dynamic. Midthunder and Quaid have a nice chemistry, too. Ray Nicholson is having fun as the villain, even if there’s not a whole lot of depth to the character. In addition to Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh, the supporting cast includes Jacob Batalon, though Quaid is the star.

Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen find a lot of ways to stretch scribe Lars Jacobson‘s admittedly thin premise. The duo don’t shy away from the visuals of Nate’s body being abused, so be prepared to cover your eyes at one point or another. Berk and Olsen aren’t breaking any new ground, but they break his body in some very interesting ways. The screenplay is at its best when it’s just Nate and Shelly getting to know each other, or when he’s being injured in creative ways. The more Jacobson tries to insert a story, or throw up roadblocks in the back end, the more muddled things get. Simplicity is best here.

Novocaine is a bunch of fun, especially if a little blood and gore can amuse you. It’s not especially reinventing the action comedy wheel, but everyone involved is committed to making the premise work. Jack Quaid especially is a highlight, as is some of the comedic violence. If that’s your bag, prepare to be entertained!

SCORE: ★★★