The Boys’ownJack Quaidleaves watchdog Hughie Campbell behind to pick up the mantle of an unlikely hero, Nathan Caine, in the upcoming action thriller,Novocaine.Nathan suffers from CIP (congenital insensitivity to pain), which opens up the possibilities of success when the bank executive attempts to save his dream girl (Amber Midthunder) from those Santa Claus-clad criminals who abducted her — and the majority of critics love the new film.
Currently,Novocaineregisters 89% on the Tomatometer against 27 reviews posted to Rotten Tomatoes. The movie’s Popcornmeter, formerly the RT audience score, and its CinemaScore will be revealed once it hits theaters on Mar. 14. For now, though, the critics are eating up directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s unique blend of comedic action. Julian Roman writes inMovieWeb’sown critique (3.5/5 stars):
“The film’s clever premise has a seemingly ordinary protagonist with a congenital medical condition where he can’t feel pain. This means that the ruthless baddies can inflict all sorts of jaw-dropping punishment and our nerveless hero keeps coming like an unstoppable punching bag. Novocaine gets top marks for unfettered savagery in a wild narrative. The big twists are pretty obvious, but that doesn’t stop the fun on this crazy ride.”
Exclusive ‘Novocaine’ Poster Showcases the Brutality of Jack Quaid’s Action Comedy
This one looks pretty good!
TheWrap’sWilliam Bibbiani adds in his review:
“Jack Quaid was born for a role like this. The actor’s unassuming cheerfulness provides the perfect comedic counterpoint to the film’s increasingly absurd gross-out action gags.”
Jonathan Sim ofComingSoon.netwas particularly taken withNovocaine,which he graded 9 out of 10 stars in his rave review by saying (below):
“If you’re a hardcore fan of action movies or if you just want a good date night movie (provided you have the stomach for violence), Novocaine starring Jack Quaid is the movie for you. You’ll go numb from laughter.”
Critics Are Feeling No Pain While Enjoying ‘Novocaine’
Jack Quaid’s must-seeNovocainemight end up beingone of the best films of the year.The premise that his character, Nathan Caine, can’t feel physical pain because of his CIP condition leads to some hilarious moments as the everyman tries to save his girlfriend, Sherry (Midthunder), who has been taken hostage. Nathan picks up a scalding hot skillet to battle one opponent before retrieving a handgun from a vat of boiling oil. In fact, Shahbaz Siddiqui ofThe Movie Podcastwas so impressed that the writer called the film “the perfect date night movie.” The rest of Siddiqui’s critique reads as follows:
“Novocaine is ELECTRIFYING! A heart-racing, pulse-pounding adrenaline rush that never lets up! Jack Quaid is effortlessly charming, Amber Midthunder steals every scene & your heart. Violent and incredibly funny, it’s the PERFECT date night movie!”
Frank Scheck ofThe Hollywood Reporteralso gave a shout-out to a classic ‘90s song which is used duringNovocaine,while also pointing out the importance of Quaid being cast as the unlikely protagonist, Nathan Caine. Scheck wrote:
“Novocaine, which amusingly employs REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ to accompany the opening credits, would probably have eventually worn out its welcome (it still feels overlong at 110 minutes) were it not for Quaid’s terrific performance.”
Lastly, it’s not all good news forNovocaine.IndieWire’sKate Erbland was less than impressed by the new Quaid-led flick, and her “C+” review indicates that some audience members are going to need to strap on their “suspenders of disbelief” for this one. Erbland said:
“Jacobson’s script and Berk and Olsen’s direction soon offer a batsh*t U-turn that dilutes this idea in myriad disappointing ways… ‘Novocaine’ doesn’t need to make anyone this numb, not after start[ing] with a real (sorry) shot to the arm.”
The Jack Quaid-ledNovocainejoinsthe 2025 box officewhen the film drops in theaters on Mar. 14. Directors Robert Olsen and Dan Berk’s action thriller will go head-to-head with several new releases that same weekend, includingThe Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender’sBlack Bag,and A24’sOpus.
