Alex Reviews "Novocaine"

The release date of Novocaine feels like a symbolic shift for 2025.  The Oscars have happened and so many talented people won awards…now let us get past the aesthetics of those pictures and dive into some fun and absolutely insane mayhem!  That is not to say that there are not wildly talented individuals in Novocaine, it is just to clarify that this is NOT a movie where the first thought would be holding statues.  Over the top violence and near constant action?  Yep!  That is the sweet spot here.

Nathan Caine is a lonely assistant bank manager, but things really turn around for him when he starts seeing his dream girl.  Unfortunately, the focus of his affection also works at the bank and becomes a hostage during a robbery.  Left with no choice, Nate must use his wealth of knowledge and rare condition to rescue her.

If not for Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, I am not sure Novocaine would make it to the theater.  Their ability to ground and deliver performances as well as they did during what could easily have devolved into a pale National Lampoon’s slapstick imitation was the exact type of anchoring the film needs to have any hope.

Jack Quaid has become one of the most trusted young actors today as he has consistently shown an ability to seamless fit himself into any scene.  His range within Novocaine is the highlight of the picture as it enhances every moment he has from silly fun to brutal torture.

Amber Midthunder continues showing that her award-winning performance in Prey was the norm for her as she matches Quaid’s range step for step while being extremely engaging and relatable for the audience.

The biggest problem with Novocaine is that past our two leads, the performances become very inconsistent.  I do not believe that I could fault the actors involved as each (except one) seemed to grasp exactly what they wanted from their role, but those roles rubbed each other like sandpaper at times.  The best example of this may be Betty Gabriel (Get Out) and Matt Walsh (Veep).  Both amazing actors, but it felt like they were in different films often.

Never is this problem more apparent than with Ray Nicholson (Smile 2) and the roller coaster that he is within the picture.  I want to clarify again that I do not think this was a fault in the performance, as Nicholson went IN on his delivery in every scene.  I never doubted him as the character, but in almost every scene, he changes whenever there is a cut.  Bouncing around from intense to jovial without a prompt or meaning.  Someone may have thought: “It makes him aloof and unhinged, like his dad was as the Joker!” and I wish that were true.  It really just felt disjointed.

All things considered; Novocaine is the perfect picture to kick off the summer movie season.  Grab your refreshments of choice, turn down the logic analysis, and enjoy your time with Novocaine in theaters March 14th!