Novocaine (2025) - Film Review

      **Novocaine, 2025**

      Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen.

      Starring Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, Evan Hengst, Conrad Kemp, Craig Jackson, Lou Beatty Jr., Garth Collins, and Tristan de Beer.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      When the girl he's infatuated with is abducted, a man who can't feel physical pain transforms his rare affliction into an unexpected asset in his quest to rescue her.

      En route to his job as a San Diego trust fund assistant manager, Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), the protagonist of the creatively violent and darkly comedic Novocaine, hears a radio host dispensing self-help advice aimed at inspiring individuals with disabilities. This feels out of place since Nate doesn’t seem to have any disabilities. However, we soon learn he has a rare condition that leaves him impervious to pain when a coworker, Sherry (Amber Midthunder from Prey), accidentally burns his hand with hot coffee, resulting in serious burns.

      Nate's genetic condition has led him to live a largely sheltered existence, rendering him introverted and socially awkward. It is evident that while he lacks physical feelings, he compensates with empathy and emotional depth. Sherry shows a strong interest in getting to know him and asks him out, but he responds with a mix of shyness and humor that masks his insecurities related to his undisclosed condition. Despite their mutual attraction, Nate prefers to spend his free time gaming with an online friend he has never met in person (Jacob Batalon, who is always entertaining as the supportive sidekick), who offers him advice on approaching women.

      Eventually, Nate and Sherry go on a date at a diner where cherry pie prompts Nate to reveal his condition. He can’t consume solid foods as he has no sense of pain, which raises the risk of accidentally biting off his tongue. Some of these peculiarities seem like overprotective behaviors rooted in his upbringing, but Sherry is curious and understanding, and they continue to bond and learn about each other.

      Surprisingly, directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (working from a screenplay by Lars Jacobson) develop their romance in a heartfelt manner, adding a layer where Sherry battles with self-harm and channels that experience into her art. This contrast creates a unique and sincere romance, raising the argument that Novocaine could have stood alone without shifting into an action film after its initial act. A two-hour film focusing on their dialogues about their lives and Nate's inability to feel pain against the backdrop of pain as a means to connect would have been beautiful.

      Fortunately, Novocaine also succeeds as an action film, showcasing Nate repeatedly putting himself in danger to rescue Sherry after she is kidnapped in a robbery led by Simon (Ray Nicholson). Unfortunately, the characterization diminishes and becomes almost nonexistent as the narrative progresses, which is acceptable since the film has already effectively established a compelling romance. However, there is a cliched twist that feels unnecessary and complicates Sherry's character, leading to frustration as one wishes the story would delve deeper into her perspective and experiences.

      This might come off as a negative critique, but the truth is, it's a solid film that could have been exceptional if it managed to maintain character development amidst the intense action. The fighting in Novocaine is brilliantly inventive and thrilling, finding clever and humorous ways to turn the violence inflicted on Nate into a weapon against his adversaries. At one point, a knife becomes impaled in his palm, creating a disturbing yet comedic moment due to Nate’s shock and lack of pain response. The blade lodged in his hand transforms him into a weapon.

      Watching Nate devise methods to intentionally harm himself to outsmart stronger opponents is darkly imaginative; it borders on cartoonish yet never veers so far as to diminish the threatening nature of the villains. These antagonists possess a cruel streak, resulting in the deaths of various innocent bystanders and first responders, ensuring a grounded sense of danger amid Nate's almost superhero-like abilities, reminding the audience that his safety does not guarantee others will escape unharmed.

      The important phrase here is “almost” since this film also avoids a common pitfall of similar movies, where it's challenging to empathize with a protagonist who cannot suffer harm. Nate may be pain-free, but he is still very much at risk and capable of dying, often trying to eliminate firearms during conflicts before acting otherwise. While each fight may not carry overwhelming life-or-death urgency, there's a thrilling anticipation in witnessing how much Nate will endure to save the day and how far Novocaine is willing to explore its violent nature. It delivers satisfactorily on both fronts, partially elevated by genuine romance.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association