Product Info

Studio

Paramount Pictures

Director

Dan Berk, Robert Olsen

Genre

Action, Comedy, Thriller

Rated

R

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Mar 14, 2025

Film Length

1hr 50min

Purchase From

Novocaine is an action comedy and over-the-top violent film that delivers a solid punch with a clichéd storyline and a slice of romance.

From Banker to Vigilante

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Nathan, played by Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games, Companion, Scream), is a banker and a nice guy with a rare genetic condition that makes him unable to feel pain. For example, he cannot feel the urge to urinate and has an alarm set for every three hours to use the restroom. Anyway, he meets the girl of his dreams, Sherry, played by Amber Midthunder (Prey, Avatar: The Last Airbender Netflix series, Legion), at one of the bank branches in San Diego. Unfortunately, during their day at work, three robbers come in with guns blazing, robbing the bank and, while they’re at it, kidnapping Sherry.

Finding out from a cop’s radio that the police will not make it in time to save her and believing the robbers will kill her, Nathan steals a cop car and takes the law into his own hands to save Sherry. During the course of the film, Nathan’s “nice guy” personality appears in moments where he almost dies against each robber he confronts. When Nathan takes action, the audience witnesses him build grit and resilience. However, he still keeps that happy, nice guy vibe as he dishes out and receives brutally damaging blows. It’s good that he can’t feel pain in those hands because the movie would quickly be over. Basically, Nathan’s condition becomes his superpower.

The story doesn’t do anything groundbreaking and it’s built on a simple path with hardly any depth added. However, the action and Nathan’s goal to save Sherry does keep the audience’s attention long enough to see the end to their story.

No Pain No Gain

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The gore does go overboard frequently. From smashing fists into broken glass and then punching people with them to witnessing an arm break with a bone sticking out, it can be quite gruesome. If you have a sensitive stomach to these types of action scenes, you’ve been warned. However, seeing scenarios such as an arrow shot through Nathan’s leg as if nothing happened is comedy when he reacts in disbelief. If you and your date enjoy action comedy films, this is a good one to see together. Just make sure you both have the stomach to endure some disgusting moments.

Feel the Rush

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The cinematography is pretty cool. There are some creative shots such as following Nathan around when he is thrown back and forth against a table and wall. Like many action films, there’s a slow-motion scene when Nathan is thrown around in the back of the ambulance. It didn’t seem necessary to have it and doesn’t feel like it adds any value, though.

The film has a few lyric tracks and heavy-paced tracks to add an adrenaline rush to the fight scenes. However, you will be too caught up in what’s going on to even hear much of it. Instead, you’ll feel and hear more sound effects, if you happen to watch it with special sound technology, such as Dolby Cinema.

The Final Stab

Novocaine is an over-the-top, gory, action comedy with some mushy romance blended in. It’s one heck of a mixture, but it delivers a satisfying film experience unless you are sensitive to gore and violence. If you’re good to go, though, get ready to feel it all.

An early screening provided for this film. Novocaine hits theaters on March 14th. Viewers can visit the official website for tickets and showtimes.