Jack Quaid's action movie, Novocaine, has secured the number one spot in its opening weekend at the box office, despite a disappointing overall performance for the industry. On March 16, 2025, the film grossed $8.7 million, knocking Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 into second place. However, this amount fell short of the projected $10 million and marks one of the lowest-grossing weekends since the pandemic began.
The overall weekend box office figures show a stark reality as all films combined brought in just $52 million, making it one of the worst-performing weekends of 2025. Nevertheless, Novocaine, which had a production budget of $18 million, seems likely to turn a profit thanks to its relatively low cost.
In Novocaine, Quaid portrays Nathan Caine, a character defined by his congenital insensitivity to pain, a condition known as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). This makes him navigate life without experiencing physical pain. Aided by Quaid's charm, the narrative follows Nathan as a reclusive credit union assistant manager who harbors a crush on his cool coworker, Sherry, played by Amber Midthunder. However, when Sherry is kidnapped following a bank robbery, Nathan finds himself propelled into action.
According to a review from NPR, Novocaine tackles themes of growth and action, as Nathan's peculiar affliction sometimes leads to absurdly comical and gruesome situations during fight scenes. "Nathan is a reclusive loser forced to the sidelines of life by congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis," remarked the reviewer, emphasizing the character's surreal challenges.
The film benefits from the unique approach of blending action with humor, something reviewers have noted, suggesting that "Novocaine immediately powers to top gear and never slows down". Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, along with stunt and fight coordinators, the film features a series of impressive action sequences that elevate its comedic elements.
Born from the creative mind of writer Lars Jacobson, some critics pointed out that while the film constructs its narrative through a less-than-logical premise, it skillfully maintains momentum. Reviewers have pointed out the third-act twist, which may not be particularly surprising but still proves entertaining thanks to the quality of the action scenes.
Supporting talents including Jacob Batolon as Nathan's enabling friend and Ray Nicholson as one of the robbers further enhance the film's breadth. Reviews also highlight the commendable efforts of Matt Walsh and Betty Gabriel, who play police officers trying to catch Nathan, creating a well-rounded ensemble.
As an action movie in a time when several major releases are struggling, Novocaine provides both an engaging storyline and humorous relief even when it strays into absurdity. "It’s just high-octane nonsense from minute one that escalates to a truly absurd finale," one critic noted, likening its chaotic style to that of Crank as opposed to more serious films in the genre.
Jack Quaid's distinguished screen presence not only embodies the character of Nathan but also captures audiences' hearts with his relatability and charm. The film's promotion saw him in New York around March 12, engaging with fans and pressing for a broader audience connection before the release of Novocaine.
The quirky comparisons draw an intriguing line between Novocaine and classic films; it has been said, "Novocaine is to John Wick as The Garbage Pail Kids Movie is to E.T."—highlighting a whimsical yet visceral approach to humor and action.
As of March 18, Novocaine is exclusively in theaters, marking an intriguing addition to the film landscape this year. Will this movie signal a shift in Quaid's career trajectory, as he continues carving out his niche with roles that resonate through an unconventional charm? Audiences seem hopeful, as critiques praise both the film’s energy and Quaid's fun embodiment of a character with an extraordinary condition fighting for what matters.
