Novocaine

Jack Quaid Charms in a Clever but Overextended Action Comedy

Jack Quaid is slyly becoming a movie star—at least, as much as movie stars can emerge nowadays. The son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, the American actor has undoubtedly benefited from nepotism, but he has also carved out a niche for dorky, nice-guy roles since his breakout in The Boys (2019–). He has played against this typecasting in supporting roles in Scream (2022) and Companion (2025), but now, he finally takes on a leading film role in the action-comedy Novocaine(2025).

Novocaine follows Nathan Caine (Quaid), a man who, due to a genetic mutation, is physically incapable of feeling pain. He leads a solitary life as the assistant manager of a bank in San Diego, until his world is shaken up after a night out with bank teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder). However, when the bank is suddenly held up, and the thieves take Sherry hostage, Nathan pursues them, using his unique condition to his advantage.

Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, Novocaine marks the filmmaking duo’s fifth feature—and their biggest project to date. The film clearly takes inspiration from John Wick (2014) and Taken (2008), following the familiar “villains mess with the wrong guy” premise but with a strong comedic slant. However, Novocaine shines most in its first act, when we see how Nathan navigates everyday life with his condition and his budding romance with Sherry. The film thoughtfully explores the medical implications of his disorder, rather than using it as a gimmick. For instance, Nathan must set a timer to use the restroom since he can't feel when his bladder is full, and he avoids solid foods to prevent unknowingly biting his tongue off.

Quaid and Midthunder’s chemistry helps ground the film, making the central premise and motivations feel genuine. Their romance, while following familiar beats, is well-crafted with charming flourishes of originality. In fact, I would have gladly watched an entire rom-com starring the two—one that could have been truly irresistible. Unfortunately, once Novocaine shifts into action mode, it loses some of that initial spark, becoming an enjoyable but conventional flick.

The film’s villains are cartoonish at best yet play a larger role than expected. Still, Berk and Olsen, along with screenwriter Lars Jacobson, find inventive ways to use Nathan’s lack of pain to his advantage, allowing him to take on trained killers despite having no particular combat skills. This ingenuity elevates the otherwise choppy action sequences, which, though bolstered by committed stunt work, suffer from rigid choreography.

At its core, Novocaine features a major plot twist that, rather than adding complexity, inadvertently weakens one of the film’s strengths. This misstep leads to a muddled finale that lacks both emotional resonance and narrative clarity. Moreover, the final sequences needlessly escalate the action and gore to an exaggerated degree. The film is filled with great creative ideas, but the filmmakers often push each element a beat too far, overcomplicating things when a more streamlined approach would have been more effective.

Quaid plays to his strengths, channeling his usual affable charm while adding an extra dash of charisma reminiscent of his father—instantly winning over the audience. Meanwhile, Midthunder remains an electrifying presence. It’s baffling that she hasn’t yet become a major star, given her standout work in Legion (2017–2019) and her spectacular lead performance in Prey (2022). Once again, she delivers an effortlessly charismatic performance, with a mischievous line delivery that makes her a worthy successor to Aubrey Plaza—a comparison made all the more fitting by their brief time together on Legion.

In the end, Novocaine boasts an excellent first act, brimming with crackling romance and an intriguing character premise. Though it eventually devolves into a formulaic action-comedy, it still manages to deliver laughs and entertainment along the way. The final act overcomplicates itself and overstays its welcome, but that doesn’t detract from the fun of watching two rising movie stars in action.

7.3/10