Jack Quaid is not your typical action hero in Novocaine, a hilarious, bloody, and bone-breaking good time.
Novocaine Review
Action heroes all have one thing in common– they seem born to be one. There are certain looks, attitudes, and abilities associated with the trope. You see Jason Statham and you know without having to know he is that guy. Which is one of the reasons Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s new film Novocaine works so well. It's the anti-action hero action comedy starring a lanky, awkward, yet lovably determined Jack Quaid as the hero no one would have expected. While it checks the boxes of the genre, it does so in a unique way: this guys doesn't know how to fight, the girl isn't exactly a damsel, and the fight scenes get messy because again this goofball is not a fighter.
Novocaine is a hilarious, bone-breaking good time that never takes itself too seriously. With some gnarly fight sequences that I haven't seen anywhere outside of Mortal Kombat, Novocaine is coming in strong for the most fun action movie of the year. Everyone in the cast is fully committed to the absurdity happening around them whether it is “are you kidding me” moments in a brawl or the exasperation of “why me.” Jack Quaid brings his charm and sweet boy next door vibes to our reluctant hero while Amber Midthunder plays a damsel not quite in distress. I can't help but think of Meg's line in Hercules – “I'm a damsel. I'm in distress. I can handle it.” All of that along with a clever script from Lars Jacobson and a pacing that keeps everything breezy makes this one a must see.
Nathan Caine (Quaid) is an assistant manager at a local bank who lives a very solitary existence thanks to a rare neurological disorder (CIPA) that prevents him from feeling any kind of pain. He could bite his tongue off and never know it. So when his work crush Sherry (Midthunder) invites him out on the town he hesitantly agrees. Not only does he have a great time but she spoon feeds him his first ever bite of pie. Naturally he falls in love which means the happiness won't last. When Sherry is kidnapped by bank robbers, Nathan musters up the courage he doesn't have to go save her.
That's what makes Novocaine stand out in a sea of action films. Nathan is no hero. He's not hiding a superhero physique under his manager suit nor does he have some inexplicable gift of hand-to-hand combat. Nathan can't throw a punch, kick a door in… you get the idea. The only things he does have going for him is his sense of justice and inability to feel pain which Quaid, Berk, and Olsen use to increasingly funny effect. It's body horror unlike anything we've seen in this genre. Poor Nathan's body is beaten, broken, and deep fried (nope, not an exaggeration). The camera doesn't cut away which means you get a front row seat to all the carnage as Nathan goes from sheltered to John Wick.
Sure the premise the whole film is built around is slightly silly, but that doesn't make Novocaine any less exciting or sweet. Berk and Olsen carefully lay out the struggles Nate faces from the moment we meet him. That coupled with Quaid's “nicest dork you'll ever meet” vibes makes us care about him. When he and Sherry go on their date, time is spent to deepen their characters' stories which makes his choice to go John McClane less jarring. We understand him and why he would be willing to be maimed in order to save her.
For those looking for wild action sequences, Novocaine serves them up aplenty. Your gun falls into a vat of boiling oil? Not a problem for Nate. Some bacitracin will fix him right up later… maybe. Broken fingers? Eh just pop those suckers back into place and keep going. Some for my favorite moments include a Home Alone style booby trapped house and the final fight which would make anyone on Mortal Kombat's roster proud. Novocaine consistently ups the ante for poor Nate but never forgets that he's not immortal. No super soldier serum here, Nate is just a human getting his butt kicked.
Quaid shines as our lovable, affable protagonist. His Nate is as far from toxic masculinity as possible. He's nice, innocent, and really just wants to do the right thing. Not only that but he knows when he's not the best or the strongest in the room, but to go into details on that would spoil a great moment. Midthunder is no princess locked in a tower. After showing off her resiliency and tenacity in Prey (not to mention Legion), it's not surprising that Sherry isn't some weak love interest. Jacob Batalon plays a role similar to Ned from the Spider-Man movies but shows off his comedic timing and has some great moments with Quaid.
Verdict
Novocaine is the perfect popcorn movie– it's an original movie loaded with laughs, creative bloodshed, and is just one bone-breaking good time. It starts out almost like a rom-com, but once Sherry is abducted it kicks into high gear and never lets up much to the detriment of Nate's body. Novocaine never takes itself seriously yet manages to deliver a story that is otherwise action-packed and sincere. Quaid and Midthunder are great together and along with the supporting cast deliver something worth watching on the big screen. Just be prepared for some fingernail pulling and shards of bone. It's gross but it's a blast.
Novocaine is rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, and language throughout with a runtime of 110 minutes long.
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