Novocaine (2025) Review
“Novocaine” is a reminder that spring is coming and we’re exiting the period where movies aren’t expected to be huge hits, but potentially the biggest of the year – with films like “Novocaine” being a warmup.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Novocaine” Film Details
Runtime: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Initially Available On/Via: Theatrical Release
Advisory Film Rating: Rated R
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Romance, Thriller
Distributor(s): Paramount Pictures
Director(s): Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Writer(s): Lars Jacobson
Summary
For most of Nathan’s life, he has had to live it safe. With being unable to feel pain, he has been immensely sheltered and cautious, including living on a liquid diet out of fear of biting his own tongue off. However, while working at San Diego Trust Bank, as an assistant manager, he finds himself attracting the attention of one of the tellers, Sherry.
She is nice, invested in him, and while he is shy and awkward, there is something about him. The not feeling pain thing ends up being a hook, but him accepting her own scars and struggles is what makes it so it almost becomes love at first sight. Which is why, with Nathan being single for most of his life, when the bank gets robbed and Sherry taken hostage, he takes it upon himself to save her and drag in his only friend, who he has never met, but plays online games with, Roscoe, to help him – even though Roscoe makes clear – he is a snitch.
Character Descriptions
Nathan (Jack Quaid)
Nathan Caine is a bank manager at San Diego Trust and he hasn’t lived a life like a bubble boy, but something certainly adjacent to it. Due to having an ailment where he can’t feel pain, either from external simulation or as much as the need to pee, Nathan has a regimen to keep himself alive and has done so into his 30s.
But, with routine and playing things safe, Nathan hasn’t really lived but it appears Sherry will soon change that.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Companion.”
Sherry (Amber Midthunder)
Sherry is someone who hasn’t had the best life, and the scars she has to show how she once handled it exhibit her struggles. But, as of now, life is better. She may not have much in the way of friends or family, but she does have peace and a support group for when things get notably hard.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Only Mine.”
Roscoe (Jacob Batalon)
Roscoe is Nathan’s gaming buddy who he hasn’t met before the events of the movie, and when he does meet Roscoe, he is nothing like how he described himself.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Tarot.”
Simon (Ray Nicholson)
Simon positions himself to be the leader of the bank robbers, but if you spoke to the brothers he is working with, he may have taken the lead, but he is not their leader. Even if Simon is a key part to the heist, due to what he brings to the getting things done.
- The actor is also known for their role in “I Love You Forever.”
Review
Highlight(s)
You Get Invested In Sherry and Nate [85/100]
When it comes to Amber Midthunder as Sherry, she isn’t a basic love interest in a action movie. Thankfully, she is given the kind of layers to get you personally invested in her, rather than her simply be Nate’s motivation. Because of this, as you see them go on a date, her encourage him to try something as small as cherry pie, and begin to live and not just survive, you don’t just love her for him but also care about who she is as well.
As Sherry talks about her past, shows her scars, you see a level of vulnerability not many love interests get afforded to have in a genuine way. Which makes everything that happens from the kidnapping and thereafter all the more noteworthy.
The Comedy [84/100]
Dark humor, and deadpan humor, is laced throughout “Novocaine.” From Nate’s inability to feel pain, and people’s reactions, one of the villains, Simon, Roscoe, and even Sherry at times, while you won’t be laughing to the point of grasping, there is an unexpected level of comedy.
The Body Horror [83/100]
Nate getting injured is not just a gag. Him burning his hand, bones popping out, the various ways he gets injured, it won’t lead to you wanting to vomit your popcorn, but if you are squeamish, you will grimace.
The Story [82/100]
The basic premise is girl who awakens something in boy, girl who is the light of boy’s life gets kidnapped, and he spends the entire movie trying to rescue her. Seems simple, but “Novocaine” does make an effort to make things complicated. Not so much that it forgets it is supposed to be a fun, action film, but it does add layers to Nate’s journey that do leave you to wonder how things may end when he reaches the final boss?
On The Fence
If You Feel The Need To Ask How Is Nate Still Alive, This Could Be A Struggle [74/100]
It would be one thing if Nate got basic injuries and still pushed on. Instead, he gets shot, stabbed places which he could potentially bleed out from, and while his injuries are addressed in the end, it doesn’t make sense how he is moving without too many issues for most of the film. As Roscoe says in the trailer, he isn’t Wolverine, he isn’t Deadpool, there is no healing factor.
So how is a shot of adrenaline supposed to sustain him considering the litany of injuries noted at the end of the movie? That makes no sense.
Overall
Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)
“Novocaine” is a fun movie. It is meant to make you giggle, gasp, maybe fall in love with the idea of being in love, and send you on your way happy.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: Gun Violence, Gore, Blood, Torture, Self-Harm, Notable Fight Scenes, Domestic Violence
- Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Depiction of Corpses, Body Horror, Vomiting, Depiction Of Derogatory Symbols
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