Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, Novocaine is a fun, fresh dose of humor that stands out in the action genre. Jack Quaid stars as Nathan Caine, an assistant manager at a bank, and he happens to have a superpower. Okay, not really. But he does have a rare genetic condition that very much comes in handy (and is hilariously effective) when his bank is targeted by ruthless robbers. 

Nathan Caine can’t feel pain. He was born with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain, which means he can’t feel any pain. Because of this, Nathan has lived his life on the cautious side. It’s how he has been able to keep himself alive so far.

Nathan’s cautious life suddenly unravels when his coworker and love interest, Sherry (Amber Midthunder), becomes a hostage, forcing him to abandon his careful ways.

Quaid is perfect as Nathan. He effortlessly portrays the fearless hero role, while also keeping the awkward dorky charm audiences love. It’s a ride in itself watching Nathan evolve from a timid introvert to kickass hero. Meanwhile, his love interest Sherry adds depth to Nathan’s journey by offering a clever twist to the traditional damsel-in-distress trope. 

The creative action sequences don’t stop, taking full advantage of Nathan’s unique condition. A quick warning for the faint of heart: some scenes are extremely cringe-worthy and tough to watch. But Novocaine numbs the pain with dark humor. While this approach is one of the film’s greatest strengths, it can also be its downfall. At times, the gimmick feels overused, making certain moments predictable. Still, these predictable bits don’t take away from the fun thrills. 

Novocaine is not a movie you want to wait to catch on streaming. With clever writing, stellar performances, and original action scenes, Novocaine needs to be experienced on the big screen. 

The film stars Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, and Jacob Batalon. It is rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, and grisly images. Watch it in theaters Friday, March 14.