Novocaine is bloody insane.
Directed by Dan Berk & Robert Olsen, Novocaine follows Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), a mild-mannered bank manager who lives a life of quiet – but safe – existence. Burdened by the fact that he feels no physical pain, Jack lives through the lens of fear. However, his world begins to change when he meets Sherry (Amber Midthunder), an attractive co-worker who seems intrigued by him and the two begin to make a connection. But, when Sherry is kidnapped, Nate decided to turn his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength as he takes responsibility upon himself to bring her back safely.
At many times, Novocaine feels more like a Looney Tunes animated feature than it feels grounded in reality. But that’s, honestly, part of its charm. The story of Nathan Caine is bloody, violent and genuinely funny. While congenital insensitivity is a real (but rare) disorder, Nate’s origin story is played off with constant quips and silliness. (In fact, one action scene takes place in a house that characters compare to Wile E. Coyote and Home Alone.)
But make no mistake. Novocaine is rated R for a reason. While the tone is light, this is a film that features brutal action set pieces. Characters are beaten within an inch of their lives (or less) with violent results. As Nate begins to lean into the potential of his disability, he becomes increasingly creative. (Wait for the broken glass…) As the directors of films that play with the horror genre (Significant Other, Villains), Berk and Olsen are no strangers to the world and embrace the potential of Novocaine’s wild side with enthusiasm.
Admittedly, the film is built upon Quaid’s natural affability. As Nate, Quaid is genuinely likeable. Although his character is genuinely troubled by his reality, he gradually comes alive the more that he accepts his gift.
“You’re a super hero,” he’s told, much to his denial.
Except that Nate isn’t a super hero. Not really, anyways. While he takes down baddies with increasingly bloody vengeance, he is a man who bleeds. He may not feel the physical pain but he definitely breaks down his body. Powering himself up with an epipen, he’s barely able to physically keep up with his attackers. And that’s part of his charm. Even at his most cartoonish, Nate is a human being. He isn’t a violent soul—though he doesn’t always act like it—but genuinely embraces his brutality for the sake of his feelings for Sherry.
He doesn’t want to fight. But he chooses to do so.
In some ways, it’s interesting that the film opens with Nate listening to a podcast about ‘embracing one’s disability’. After all, while Novocaine suggests that his disorder is something he wishes he could change, the film never truly takes that suggestion seriously. Instead, it creates an aura of wonder about the issue. This isn’t a film about ‘grappling with disabilities’. Instead, it’s about owning your power.
Nate is a man who has been physically bullied since childhood. (Not that he felt it.) As a result, he’s looked at his body with shameful eyes. But when he’s thrown into the mix, things begin to change. The more that Nate begins to change his views about himself, the more that he begins to see the potential in his physical differences. His confidence grows. And so does his inner strength.
Admittedly, if there’s a quibble with Novocaine, it’s the way that it uses its supporting cast. As the fiery soul of Prey, Amber Midthunder managed to bring the heat. However, despite strong work in the role of Sherry, she has very few moments here where she’s allowed to show that same confidence here. The same goes as well for the delightful Jacob Batalon, who risks becoming yet another ‘guy in the chair’. Both offer solid supporting performances but one can hope that, should we see more of Nathan Caine, that the two actors will be given more to do in future films.
In the end, there’s no denying that Novocaine is a welcome boost of adrenaline-fueled fun. Without being particularly super, Nathan Caine is definitely a hero. There’s a fire in his belly and fury in his fists. But the joy of Novocaine is the humour and heart that makes him endearing, even while his enemies are slain.
Novocaine is available in theatres on Friday, March 14th, 2025.
