Novocaïne

Novocaine meaningfully shows the extent you would go to save who you care about. It's filled with hopes, amid lots of action that could easily annihilate the underdog at any moment. There's some romance, more violence, and much more audience concern for the wellbeing of the intended rescuer. As part of displaying heartless crime, be forewarned that Novacaine lacks positive humor. The twists and reveals are nicely unpredictable, though.

Best seen with others for how many challenges and opportunities are dramatized. It's less about guessing what's next, and more about relating and somehow surviving, with the main character's hopes and standards intact.

I saw Novocaine early as this week's selection for Marcus's Mystery Movie. I had already planned on watching it so I was happy with the choice. And while I enjoyed the experience, it feels like most of the other 2025 releases I've seen: good but not great.

The premise is interesting and is used somewhat well. The action scenes are solid. The comedic attempts are hit or miss. I laughed at some but others fell flat. And my investment/engagement was... medium?

I can't fully explain why it didn't work better. Maybe it's because none of the aspects excel. Maybe it's because the entire cast outside of the lead is weak (most of them are TV actors, not movie actors).

I just didn't feel that spark. I definitely didn't mind watching it. But it's not something memorable that I see myself revisiting.

Hopefully 2025 can turn itself around because this is the worst start to the year I can remember.

P. S. Someone brought a noisy baby to my screening so my experience was a bit tainted. Some people are so inconsiderate.

(1 viewing, early screening Marcus Mystery Movie 3/3/2025)

Nate (Jack Quaid) is a mild-mannered bank employee with a genetic disorder. He can feel no pain. It sounds like a superpower, but the problem is that he can seriously injure himself without realising the fact. As a result he leads an extremely risk-averse life. All sharp edges in his home are padded, he avoids solid food for fear of biting his tongue in half, and he sets an alarm on his watch to remind him to go to the bathroom, because his bladder might burst if he forgets.

As a result, he lives a rather lonely life, playing video games with a friend he's never met face to face. That's until he falls for fellow employee Sherry (Amber Midthunder). Maybe things are looking up?

Then the bank is held up by three armed raiders, who get away with a lot of money plus a hostage - Sherry. Nate gives chase - leading him into a series of perils and adventures. He's not helped by the fact that the police aren't sure which side he's on.

The result is stupid (in a good way) but great fun, as Nate receives a series of increasingly-bizarre injuries without them slowing him down at all. There are enough twists to make things interesting, and enough comedy to make this film an enjoyable watch.

We caught Novocaine on Monday Mystery Movie night, and what a ride it was! Starring Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, the film starts off almost like a RomCom in the first act-then the second act hits, and it's zoom zoom zoom from there.

This movie is absolutely bonkers, bringing to mind the chaotic energy of Crank (2006). It fully delivers on its promise of an R-rated action/thriller/comedy, with plenty of strong language and graphic violence.

It was definitely a good time, and I'd recommend it to fans of this kind of wild ride-though maybe not for the squeamish.

Enjoy it peeps!

Cheerio!!!

The concept is great, but it gets old quickly. It's what happens when you have a good concept but poor execution, bad story, and boring action sequences. They could've done so much with it, but it just doesn't really deliver both from the comedic standpoint and action standpoint.

Compare to movies of similar genre of action comedy like Nobody, this film just seems very generic, cliche, and incoherent. It gets worse as it goes, the beginning was actually quite good. By the ending it was just a mess, multiple fake endings making you wish each time it would just end already.

The characters and story inconsistency makes it really hard to follow or believe.

4/10.