Jack Quaid's 'Novocaine' Divides Critics as a Bloody Action-Comedy

The film blends hyper-violent action with dark humor but falters under repetitive gags and uneven storytelling.

Jack Quaid stars as Nathan Caine, a man with a rare condition that renders him unable to feel pain, navigating a violent quest to rescue his love interest, played by Amber Midthunder.
Critics praised Quaid's performance and the film's creative action sequences, but many noted its over-reliance on gruesome violence and a thin storyline.
The movie's first act, exploring the challenges of Nathan's condition, received positive attention for its humor and emotional depth before the plot shifted into excessive action and gore.
Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, 'Novocaine' is described as a mix of rom-com, body horror, and '80s-style action, though its tonal inconsistency drew mixed reactions.
While some reviewers found the film entertaining as a B-movie spectacle, others criticized its lack of stakes, repetitive injuries, and underdeveloped supporting characters.