Directed by: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Starring: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Jacob Batalon

To start, Novocaine, Berk and Olsen’s latest film, comes with a great premise: Mild-mannered, lonely and nerdy Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), an assistant manager at a San Diego credit union, has a congenital disorder that prevents him from feeling pain to the point where he avoids solid food and has safety attachments to sharp desk corners. He has eyes on the lovely intern Sherry (Amber Midthunder) and they both hit it off on their first date. The very next day, however, the bank is violently robbed and the perpetrators take Sherry hostage. Nathan, who has fallen head over heels for Sherry, goes after them in the hopes of saving her. As expected, mayhem, violence, and gore follow and I admit, it’s kind of a fun one.

Let’s be honest. Nathan is a superhero, with a semi-realistic superpower in being impervious to pain – no doubt about it. And, he’s got one of the best superhero names in movie history (Nathan Caine aka Novocaine). He’s a Clark Kent, Peter Parker archetype with a tinge of Deadpool but a bit more likable and sympathetic. It’s a great character that could have come from a classic comic book page (I wouldn’t be surprised if there are similar characters already) and helps carry the film to an entertaining action-infused 110 minutes.

That said, Novocaine mostly succeeds with Quaid’s charming performance and makes it a fun watch. I found myself rooting for this guy and for a film that is half the battle. Some predictable scenes and characters are sprinkled all over but there are also some good surprises. The rest of the cast is fine, especially Nicholson’s villain Simon. Batalon makes a cameo, which gives it an extra air of “a superhero movie”. But it can also stand as an action/comedy/romance and that is how it feels it’s being marketed. I’d say in this day and age of Marvel/DC fatigue, it is a good call.

While there’s not much depth to Novocaine, its great premise makes it an entertaining watch despite its predictable elements. Quaid does quite alright with the role, making me completely forget he was one of the villains in the first Hunger Games movie. If you are thinking of seeing this, try Dolby Theater.

So have you seen NOVOCAINE? Well, what do you think?

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