'Novocaine' Divides Critics with Bold Premise and Excessive Gore

Jack Quaid stars as a pain-insensitive hero in an action-comedy blending dark humor and hyperviolence, but reviews highlight uneven execution.

The film stars Jack Quaid as Nathan Caine, a man with a rare disorder (CIPA) that prevents him from feeling pain, who becomes an unlikely vigilante after a bank robbery.
Critics praise Quaid's performance and the film's unique premise, which explores the physical and emotional challenges of living with CIPA.
The movie blends action, comedy, and body horror, featuring over-the-top violence that some reviewers found excessive and numbing over time.
While the first act is commended for its character development and humor, the latter half is criticized for losing focus and relying on repetitive, cartoonish violence.
Supporting performances by Amber Midthunder and Jacob Batalon are noted, though some characters are underdeveloped, and the film's pacing and tone received mixed feedback.