‘Novocaine’ Review: An Obscure Medical Condition Turns Jack Quaid Into World’s Unlikeliest John Wick

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In the movie “Novocaine,” Nathan Caine, despite appearing to be one of the most cautious action heroes due to the injuries he endures throughout, surprisingly has a unique condition called Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA). This means that even a minor cut could potentially be fatal if not attended promptly. Therefore, it’s quite remarkable when the usually cautious Nathan, who was nicknamed “Novocaine” by his schoolmates because of this condition, displays a fierce and aggressive response to save his crush from bank robbers.

CIPA is indeed a genuine condition, occurring in less than one hundred million individuals worldwide. In this context, it’s fair to say that screenwriter Lars Jacobson may be perceived as insensitive, not Nathan. If you find this bothersome, you might choose not to purchase a ticket. However, if it doesn’t bother you, take note that Paramount is hosting sneak previews on March 8, a week prior to the film’s wide release. Evidently, they are confident that audiences are eager to watch “The Boys” actor Jack Quaid endure intense physical violence (a prediction supported by the success of his recent film, “Companion”). Indeed, it’s entertaining to witness him push through challenges beyond what most people would manage.

The film “Novocaine,” attempting to emulate the offbeat charm that propelled “Deadpool” to fame, posits an intriguing question: Could CIPA be a superpower? This premise is humorously highlighted through the choice of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” during the opening credits. Essentially, Deadpool experiences all feelings yet has healing powers that enable him to persevere, while Nathan is more akin to the opposite. In “Novocaine,” directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen explore this idea: What if “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” transformed into a tough guy like Jason Statham to win love?

I’ve managed to survive well into my mid-20s by taking extra precautions. Instead of biting my tongue while eating, I drink my meals through a straw. To prevent bruises from sharp corners, I place tennis balls strategically around the house. An alarm reminds me to take frequent bathroom breaks, avoiding any potential accidents.

Jacobson’s portrayal of my situation is mostly based on my shy nature, stemming from years of verbal and physical abuse. As a result, I spend most of my free time immersed in violent video games, which provide an outlet for actions that might be too risky in real life.

Subsequently, we meet Sherry (Amber Midthunder), a playful coworker who proposes a cherry pie outing and inquires about his sensations, such as “Does lacking pain sensitivity mean you can’t experience pleasure?” The following day, after their encounter, three Santa-clad villains storm Nathan’s bank, ransack the vault, and kidnap Sherry along the way. Without a moment’s pause, Nathan pursues them. This is where Berk and Olsen display two characteristics: They’re ready to resort to extreme violence (as evidenced when one of the robbers, Simon [Ray Nicholson], splatters the bank manager’s brains onto Sherry’s face) but they lack finesse in coordinating their actions.

In the movie “Novocaine,” it’s the tender love story that propels me forward, rather than any twisted amusement the directors seem to derive from repeatedly injuring Nathan. This is the connection they intended when Nathan confronts one of the robbers in their dangerously rigged house, receiving a crossbow bolt in the thigh and a spiked medieval weapon in the back. Most ordinary vigilantes might falter with such wounds, but Nathan presses on, using epinephrine to self-inject whenever necessary to avoid losing consciousness.

It’s rational for him to believe that the police won’t save Sherry in time because Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh, the officers chasing them, suspect he’s involved in the robbery. However, just how much can this assumption be stretched? It should be noted that Nathan isn’t physically strong, but he has a high tolerance for pain. Exercising must be challenging for someone with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA), and Quaid has a tall, lanky build that resembles a cheerful scarecrow. Yet, his smile is captivating, a blend of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid’s charm! Nathan lacks an intimidating presence, which also applies to his friend Roscoe (Jacob Batalon). He excels more at telling jokes than offering support.

It’s not surprising that Nathan shows great creativity when he battles Garth Collins, a formidable opponent with bulky rhino-like muscles and fists as large as watermelons. In a flash of genius, the young man picks up broken glass and sharpens his knuckles, transforming his weak, untrained hands into formidable weapons. Such instances truly highlight Nathan’s ingenuity, not to mention his intense determination to win the girl – if there is anything left of him after the chaos subsides.

Or simply:

When facing off against Garth Collins, a massive adversary with rhino-like muscles and giant watermelon-sized fists, Nathan demonstrates surprising creativity by sharpening his knuckles on broken glass, turning his feeble, untrained hands into lethal tools. This quick thinking shows both his resourcefulness and his strong desire to win the girl – assuming there will be anything left of him when the fight is over.

In the film “Prey,” Midthunder has demonstrated her action skills, yet the connection between her and Quaid appears contrived and seemingly unauthentic. The cast of “Novocaine” presents some intriguing casting decisions, with both Quaid and Nicholson being “nepo babies,” or descendants of famous film stars. Their brutal confrontations resemble an initiation rite in Hollywood, where the victor gains entry into a career in films. Given all that his character experiences in this movie, it seems Quaid has truly earned it.

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2025-03-09 07:17