The main star’s presence along with some clever ideas make this action-comedy fresher than you’d expect.
For over a decade now, we’ve seen action films try to replicate the success of the John Wick franchise. Some have succeeded, but most have failed. But all have given audiences their take on brutal up-and-close combat that causes theater audiences to grimace. You can’t fault any studio for greenlighting these types of films, as action films in general have always been hit or miss, and they may as well strike while the iron is hot with this type of filmmaking thanks to the Keanu Reeves franchise. For these types of films to work, however, they need a main star who is likable enough combined with action that’s clever enough to stand out in the pack. Thankfully, Paramount’s Novocaine delivers on both fronts, thanks to its star Jack Quaid and his character’s condition that makes for some clever (and funny) action in this story that differs from every other action film to come out in quite some time.
Novocaine follows Nate Caine (Jack Quaid), who lives an ordinary life with a 9-to-5 job as an assistant bank manager in San Diego. But once he starts to have a conversation with one of the bank employees he likes, Sherry (Amber Midthunder), his condition comes up: congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), where he cannot feel a thing. As the two become closer, the bank they work for is robbed, Sherry is taken hostage, and it’s up to Nate to save the day.
The biggest plus for this action-comedy is also its biggest negative: the story. The story itself is clever and has a couple of good twists, as we watch an everyday man trying to do the right thing and work his way through situation after situation with his unique condition. Some of the action and consequences that follow are uniquely written, and they come off as fresh and funny. However, the story feels a bit stretched out for its runtime. As an action comedy, films like this work better around 90 minutes – not so much at almost two hours. Part of this can be attributed to one twist in the film, which spends too much time as a subplot that diverts attention away from Nate’s pursuit of Sherry being taken hostage. In addition to this, the film also gets off to a slow start before things pick up almost 30 minutes into the action. The film credits one scriptwriter, and I will admit that this action-comedy comes off fresher than most other action films I’ve seen in some time. However, it also feels like a first draft in need of some trimming.
Regardless, Novocaine still delivers the goods, thanks in large part to Jack Quaid’s performance as a charming, everyday guy trying to save a girl he has fallen for. Jack Quaid continues to forge his own path as an actor and has proven that he doesn’t need nepotism to carry his film career; he’s a good actor in his own right. So, it’s good to see him kicking ass front and center in an action comedy that makes the most of his likability and quirkiness that are just what a film like this needs. Most of the supporting cast consists of a group you’ve seen in film/TV (Matt Walsh for example). But it’s also good to see Amber Midthunder charm her way through this film as the love interest, Sherry. I’m surprised we have not seen her in more notable stuff since she was great leading the excellent Predator prequel, Prey, in 2022. This film is Exhibit A in the case for Hollywood taking notice of her and casting her in more things; she’s got the range.
Novocaine makes for a fun time in the theater, especially if you see it in 4DK where you feel the action from your seat. Sure, it won’t move the needle in the action genre. But it features two young actors who are on the rise in a story with enough entertainment and laughs to recommend seeing in a theater on a Saturday afternoon.