NOVOCAINE (2025)

Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, Lou Beatty Jr., Van Hengst, Conrad Kemp, Jacob Batalon
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: NC16 (Violence and Coarse Language)
Released By: UIP
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 13 March 2025

Synopsis: When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped, everyman Nate (Jack Quaid) turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength in his fight to get her back.

Movie Review:

In case you didn’t know, the title of this action comedy is also the name of a local anaesthetic. Novocaine, or procaine hydrochloride, is commonly used in dental procedures like tooth extractions and cavity fillings. It works quickly to numb the treatment area, ensuring a pain-free experience.

The filmmakers probably gave themselves a pat on the back for coming up with this clever title, as the protagonist of the story has congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) - a real but extremely rare condition in which a person cannot feel physical pain.

Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen and written by Lars Jacobson, the movie wastes no time introducing us to Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), an all-too-pleasant introvert who works at a trust credit union. He is polite to a fault, and there’s no reason to dislike him.

We also see how Nathan navigates his daily life with caution. Because of his CIP, he takes extra care to prevent injuries or illnesses that could be life-threatening. While many might initially see CIP as a cool superpower, it is actually a dangerous condition. Physical pain is essential for survival, and without it, people with CIP may suffer serious injuries or illnesses without realising it.

Before long, Nathan falls for his colleague Sherry (Amber Midthunder), and things start to heat up between them. Just as we begin to wonder where the story is headed, a violent robbery takes place at the bank where Nathan works, and Sherry is taken hostage.

The rest of the movie follows Nathan as he summons the courage to rescue her, pushing himself beyond his limits. He gets into fist fights, fires a gun, and speeds down the road - basically, all the things action heroes do.

Quaid leverages his natural likability to bring Nathan to life, and his boy-next-door charm makes you want to root for him from start to finish. Go get the girl! Punch the bad guy! You’ve got what it takes to save the day! Go, Nathan!

The 32-year-old actor is best known for playing a good-hearted vigilante in the ultra-violent TV series The Boys and a down-on-his-luck villain in Companion (2025). He’s often labelled a “nepo baby” thanks to his famous parents, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, but with a performance like this, it’s clear he can hold his own as a leading man.

The movie runs at a brisk 110 minutes, earning points for its tight pacing. The action sequences are exhilaratingly choreographed and executed, yet there are plenty of chuckle-worthy moments amidst the chaos. Thanks to Quaid’s charisma, his on-screen chemistry with Midthunder feels genuinely sweet.

Supporting actors also bring their A-game. Ray Nicholson (the creepy guy from Smile 2) goes full berserk as a ruthless bank robber, while Jacob Batalon channels his Ned Leeds nerdiness as Nathan’s online gaming buddy. Packed with action, comedy, and a touch of romance, this is a fast-paced thrill ride that never overstays its welcome.

Movie Rating:

(Jack Quaid’s boy-next-door charm shines in this action comedy about a man who can’t feel pain)

Review by John Li