Some movies grab you by the throat from the very first scene — and Novacaine does exactly that. The moment R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts started playing in the opening scene, I knew I was in for a ride. What starts off as a quirky love story between two awkward, geeky lovers quickly spirals into a blood-soaked, adrenaline-fueled action fest that does not hit the brakes once.
Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen Novacaine stars Jack Quaid as Nathan Caine — an awkward, tattoo-covered misfit who finds himself in a life-or-death spiral after a bank heist goes south. His love interest, Sherry, played by Amber Midthunder, matches his energy perfectly, creating some of the most adorably geeky on-screen chemistry I have seen in a while. But do not let the cute romance fool you — this movie gets violent. Like Punisher meets Mortal Kombat level violent.
The Story: Love, Gore, and Bad Decisions
Nathan Caine is just your average awkward guy with a bunch of tattoos, a beat-up Subaru station wagon, and a questionable streak of bad luck. Things take a turn when he meets Sherry, a quirky and equally geeky woman who seems perfect for him. Their chemistry feels natural, and you cannot help but root for them. But things go sideways — fast.
A bank robbery gone wrong quickly turns the film into an unrelenting bloodbath. And I mean that literally. The robbers in this movie do not mess around — they shoot first and do not even bother asking questions later. Cops get mowed down left and right, and Nathan and Sherry are caught in the middle of it all. What follows is a series of violent, stomach-churning, and hilarious fight scenes that will have you simultaneously cringing and cheering.
Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder’s Insane Chemistry
If you thought Jack Quaid was good in The Boys, you have not seen anything yet. His portrayal of Nathan is awkwardly funny, but when it is time to throw hands — this man goes off. Paired with Amber Midthunder as Sherry, the two have chemistry so strong that you almost forget you’re watching an action thriller.
The awkwardness, the fumbling, the “popping the cherry pie” moment — gold. They genuinely feel like two nerds in love, and you cannot help but root for them the entire time. The moment they finally hook up had me blushing for them both.
The Action: Next-Level Gore and Creative Kills
Let me just say this — Novacaine does not shy away from gore. Like, at all. The fight scenes are brutal. The first major action sequence takes place in a kitchen, and within minutes you get:
- A hand shoved in a deep fryer.
- A guy getting his face smashed on a counter.
- More blood than a horror movie.
And that is just the first act. By the time you get to the hardware store scene where Nathan performs self-surgery with random tools, you will either be screaming or applauding the sheer audacity of this movie.
And the tattoo parlor fight? My guy turned into Temu Wolverine. Tattoo needles, broken bottles, and even a hand-staple gun — it was straight-up Mortal Kombat level violence. This film goes out of its way to make you cringe, and I am here for it.
Creative Kills and Home Alone Vibes
What sets Novacaine apart from other action movies is its commitment to creative kills. There is a scene where Nathan finds himself trapped in a criminal’s house and has to Home Alone his way out. I am talking booby traps, household weapons, and pure adrenaline-fueled carnage. The kill scenes are as inventive as they are gut-wrenching.
The torture scene, in particular, was hilariously cringey. One second you are laughing, the next you are squirming in your seat. And just when you think Nathan is down and out — he pulls some DIY surgery using an EpiPen as adrenaline. Absolutely insane.
Final Thoughts: Novacaine Is Pure Adrenaline
Novacaine does not pretend to be anything it is not. It is not a deep, philosophical story or a complex character drama. It is 100% adrenaline-fueled, blood-soaked chaos — and I loved every second of it. Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder absolutely kill it with their chemistry, and the action sequences are some of the most creative I have seen in a while.
If you are looking for a movie that is pure violence, awkward humor, and non-stop thrills, Novacaine is absolutely worth watching. Just do not eat before you watch it.
Stream Novacaine now and buckle up — because this ride is all gas, no brakes.
Novacaine Review: Pure Adrenaline and Over-the-Top Gore
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Acting - 7/10
7/10
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Cinematography/Visual Effects - 9/10
9/10
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Plot/Screenplay - 7/10
7/10
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Setting/Theme - 7/10
7/10
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Watchability - 8/10
8/10
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Rewatchability - 7/10
7/10
Overall
User Review
( votes)Summary
Novacaine is a non-stop adrenaline ride filled with gore, humor, and creative kills. Read our full review of the action-packed thriller.
Pros
✅ Insane Action: The gore is next-level, but the choreography is creative and exciting.
✅ Strong Chemistry: Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder have incredible on-screen chemistry.
✅ Creative Kills: This movie goes full Punisher mode when it comes to fight scenes.
✅ Perfect Pacing: The movie never slows down and keeps the adrenaline pumping.
Cons
❌ Weak Plot: The story is thin. Do not expect deep character arcs or groundbreaking storytelling.
❌ Excessive Gore: If you are squeamish, this movie might be too much.
❌ Predictable Ending: The twist is not as surprising as it could have been.
Summary: Novacaine is an all-gas, no-brakes action thriller that delivers Punisher-level gore, laugh-out-loud comedy, and some of the most creative kills you will see in a movie this year. Starring Jack Quaid as Nathan Caine and Amber Midthunder as Sherry, the film follows a lovable, awkward couple who get caught up in a violent bank heist gone wrong — and the result is pure chaos. From self-surgery in a hardware store to Home Alone-style booby traps, Novacaine does not hold back on the adrenaline or the cringe-worthy violence. While the plot is thin, the breakneck pace, insane action scenes, and killer chemistry between Quaid and Midthunder make Novacaine a bloody good time. If you are into brutal fight scenes, hilarious one-liners, and non-stop mayhem, this movie is absolutely worth the watch. Just maybe don't eat beforehand.
