We finally dove into Novocaine on Paramount+! With a premise like “can’t feel pain” and Jack Quaid, we had hopes. Did it deliver? Well, it was… alright. Cinesist gives you the unfiltered truth on this middle-of-the-road action-thriller. 🤷♀️
Alright, Cine-Surfers, gather ’round, because Cinesist just took one for the team. We plunged into the depths of Novocaine, a film promising a protagonist who “can’t feel pain” – which, let’s be real, sounds like a recipe for MAXIMUM SNARK chaos and gloriously stupid action sequences. Unfortunately, much like its namesake, this movie left us feeling… mostly numb. It’s that kind of ‘alright’ that makes you question your life choices, but also wonder if you actually saw something worthwhile in the haze. We rate it a 6, and trust us, that’s being generous. Prepare for a rollercoaster of mediocrity, punctuated by one genuinely Oscar-Worthy twist we might just forgive the rest for.
The Premise: More Painful Than Promised?
The core concept of Novocaine – a guy who literally can’t feel pain – sounds like PURE CINEMATIC GOLD! for a gritty, over-the-top action thriller, right? You imagine him shrugging off bullet wounds, walking through fire, perhaps using a live grenade as a party favor. And for a glorious, fleeting moment, the film flirts with this concept, delivering some moderately creative action sequences where Jack Quaid’s character, Chris, shrugs off hits like he’s just spilled coffee. Quaid himself does a commendable job, proving he can carry a film even when the film itself feels like it’s dragging concrete boots.
But, and here’s our unfiltered opinion, the film seems almost afraid of its own premise. It promises glorious, uninhibited chaos born from a superpower, but then backs off, delivering something strangely… safe. It’s like being promised a Hollywood Demon and getting a moderately grumpy accountant. (Speaking of accountants, did you see our Review of the Accountant 2? That one had explosions!) We were ready for the full blunt force trauma, but Novocaine opted for a gentle pinch. UGHHHH!
The Twist: A Shot of Adrenaline in a Sea of Meh!
This is a spoiler warning. It’s here to tell you that the following content contains details you might not want to know yet. See? A warning. Now, what you choose to do with this information is entirely up to YOU dear reader, it is you who is currently looking at these words on a screen.
Now, for the Oscar-Worthy moment that almost, almost, made us forget the preceding mediocrity. You follow Chris as he tears through the city, dodging bullets and breaking bones, all for a girl he’s apparently smitten with. You expect the typical damsel-in-distress, ride-or-die scenario. And then… BAM! The big reveal hits harder than a concrete block to the face (which Chris would probably just shrug off). The girl he’s been tearing up the city for? Yeah, she was in on the whole scam and robbery from the very beginning.
It’s a clever, genuinely surprising twist that injects a much-needed jolt of sharp take into an otherwise predictable plot. It reshapes everything you thought you knew, making you reconsider every single one of her sweet smiles and helpless glances. It’s the kind of betrayal that makes for PURE CINEMATIC GOLD! and leaves you muttering, “Well, I didn’t see that coming!” This single plot twist elevates the film from a complete bad decision to something that at least has one memorable, Hollywood Demon-level moment. Thank you for your service, plot twist!
The Verdict: Should You Watch This? Meh… But That Twist Though!
So, where does Novocaine land on the Cinesist judgement scale? It’s a film with flashes of brilliance (the twist, Jack Quaid’s commitment) surrounded by a generous helping of “just alright.” It’s not offensively bad, but it’s not going to set your world on fire. It’s the cinematic equivalent of elevator music – it exists, it fills a space, and you’ll forget it five minutes after you’ve left. If you’re scrolling through Paramount+ with absolutely nothing else calling your name, and you’re curious about one surprisingly clever betrayal, then sure, inject Novocaine into your watchlist. But don’t expect a high-octane rush. Just a dull ache with one surprising, satisfying sting.
When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped, everyman Nate (Jack Quaid) turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength in his fight to get her back.
Paramount Pictures
Go on, you know you want to. The comment section isn’t going to fill itself, and honestly, this carefully crafted piece of meta-snark deserves a little applause… or at least a witty critique. Don’t leave us hanging here! 👇💥💻
Go on, you know you want to. The comment section isn’t going to fill itself, and honestly, this carefully crafted piece of meta-snark deserves a little applause… or at least a witty critique. Don’t leave us hanging here! 👇💥💻
Should You Watch Novocaine?
Should You Watch Novocaine?-
Overall6/10 UNFILTERED🤷♂️
The 'Pure Cinematic Gold!' Moments ✨
- The Clever Twist: A genuinely surprising plot reveal that recontextualizes the entire story and elevates it from pure mediocrity.
- Jack Quaid's Commitment: He brings a commendable intensity to the role, convincingly portraying a man who can't feel pain but certainly feels the chaos.
- Momentary Action Flashes: Some sequences hint at the film's full potential, delivering quick bursts of creative (if fleeting) action.
The 'Bad Decisions!' We Spotted 🤦♀️
- Unfulfilled Premise: The concept of "no pain" is largely wasted, leading to a surprisingly safe and predictable narrative.
- Overall Mediocrity: Despite its one good twist, the film struggles to maintain engagement, often feeling bland and forgettable.
- Pacing Issues: The story drags in places, making the less compelling sections feel even longer than they are.
