If you love gore and escalating tension, Novocaine does not hold back. Scene after scene, the stakes keep rising, making for some wildly entertaining moments.
When I first heard about Novocaine, I was very excited to see it but I still had my doubts. Another nepo-baby showdown? But what I didn’t expect was just how much of a blast this film would be. Jack Quaid vs. Ray Nicholson is the nepo-baby hero vs. villain matchup we never knew we needed, and they absolutely delivered.
Nate Caine (Jack Quaid) is a mild-mannered assistant bank manager with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA), a rare condition that makes him unable to feel pain. His condition makes life complicated, but things take a wild turn when his co-worker (and love interest), Sherry Margrave (Amber Midthunder), is taken hostage during a violent bank robbery.
The mastermind behind it all? Simon Greenly (Ray Nicholson), a ruthless criminal with a chaotic edge. As Nate embarks on a dangerous mission to save Sherry, his inability to feel pain becomes both his biggest strength and greatest curse. With unexpected twists, dark humor, and shockingly intense action sequences, Novocaine delivers a high-stakes, laugh-out-loud ride.
First and foremost, this movie was fun. The humor hit just right, and Jack Quaid played his signature nice guy role to perfection. If you’ve followed his work, you know he thrives in these types of characters. Meanwhile, Ray Nicholson completely leaned into his psychotic villain persona, something he already showcased in Smile 2, and he nailed it here too.
I truly enjoyed Novocaine from start to finish, and even though there were some noticeable plot holes, the sheer entertainment value made up for them. And let’s talk about that twist—it actually added some depth to the movie instead of feeling like a forced gimmick. That’s rare in films like this.
Jack Quaid shows that he can carry movies, and with Novocaine being his second hit of the year following Companion, he’s proving he can hold his own as a lead. The supporting cast also pulled their weight, bringing great comedic timing and some surprisingly strong character moments despite the fast-paced nature of the story.
And if you love gore and escalating tension, Novocaine does not hold back. Scene after scene, the stakes keep rising, making for some wildly entertaining moments. This film shines in a theater setting, but I can already tell it’ll be a blast to rewatch once it hits streaming.
Nepotism discourse aside, if movies like Novocaine are the result, give me more. I don’t care where the talent comes from as long as the performances and storytelling deliver—and this one definitely did. Score: 8/10 – A few too many plot holes for my taste, but the ride was more than worth it. If you’re looking for a fun, gory, and darkly hilarious thriller, Novocaine is well worth the watch.
