I have to admit that Novocaine was not on my radar. I’d seen the poster, and what I’d seen peripherally did not appeal to me. But after seeing some good stuff about it on social media, I decided to give it a shot. And it helped that the screening was in 4DX, where your seats create an “immersive experience,” because I’d never seen a movie in that format. Now I’m glad I did, because the movie was a total blast.
The film stars Jack Quaid as Nathan Caine, a meek and mild-mannered assistant manager in a San Diego bank. He’s got a genetic disorder that causes him not to feel any pain, so he’s built his life around a rigid lifestyle in order to survive. He doesn’t eat solid foods because he might accidentally bite off his tongue. Everything he does is planned, including going to the bathroom because his bladder could explode if he doesn’t go. He’s got zero social life, save for an online friend, Roscoe (Jacob Batalon) that he plays video games with.
At work, he’s got his eye on a cute bank teller, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). Early on in the film, she accidentally causes him to spill hot coffee all over his hand. Funny banter ensues and she ends up asking him to lunch. He (reluctantly) agrees, the two hit it off. He even meets her out at a club at the urging of Roscoe. There, an old schoolmate of his interrupts and spouts off that they used to call him Novocaine as they were beating him up.
Things are looking up for our hero.
Then, wouldn’t you know, chaos ensues. The next morning, a trip of robbers dressed in Santa suits, burst into the bank, kill the manager, steal millions of dollars, and kidnap his newfound love. Not wanting to wait for the cops to save her, he heads off in pursuit.
From there, we get one crazy moment to another as he searches for Sherry. All while he’s physically put through the ringer; bones are broken, skin is burned off and bullets are taken.
The movie wouldn’t work nearly as well if Quaid wasn’t so damn good. He’s effortlessly funny as a man on the hunt for the girl he loves. Midthunder is really good too. When she gazes at Nathan, you can see why he falls for her. Simon (Ray Nicholson), the main robber, straddles the line of being over the top which only makes him feel even more dangerous.
Watching the movie in 4DX only enhanced my enjoyment, but not by a huge amount. It’s definitely a fun experience being jostled and blasted with air during fight scenes. Although, the seats moved and bucked so much that it did make me have to pee like 3 times during the movie. So, there’s that.
