The action film industry welcomes back Ray Nicholson, who recently stole the limelight in the horror sequel Smile 2, and is now ready to make waves with his new movie Novocaine.
Set to hit cinemas on March 28, 2025, Novocaine stars Jack Quaid as Nathan, a man afflicted with a rare condition known as congenital insensitivity to pain (CIPA). This unique predicament leads to a chain of events that spirals into chaos when Nathan's bank is robbed and his girlfriend, played by Amber Midthunder, is kidnapped.
In the midst of this turmoil, Ray Nicholson plays a key role as one of the criminals, delivering a chilling performance marked by a haunting smile. During a recent interview with JOE, Nicholson shared personal reflections on his Irish heritage and a treasured memory of visiting Ireland with his family, revealing, “I claim that I’m Irish even though I’m not 100% Irish. I’m always like: ‘Oh no, I’m Irish 100%,’ even though I’m like 25%. So, I love Ireland.”
Nicholson's only visit to the Emerald Isle was described as “one of the most fun times” of his life. He recounted that it was during this trip that he had his first beer with his father, the legendary actor Jack Nicholson. He expressed eagerness to return to Ireland, saying, “I can’t wait to go to Ireland. I’m dying to go to Ireland.”
His co-star Jacob Batalon also remarked on his experience in Ireland, highlighting a delightful two-week stay in Dublin. Despite the vibrant culture surrounding him, he humorously admitted to missing out on the iconic Guinness beer. He stated, “This might be sacrilege, I actually didn’t have Guinness, so I feel like I might have messed up there.”
During the jovial interaction, Nicholson's affection for Ireland shone through, with his admiration for the country and its lyrical language. “I’m a sucker for Irish… Every time before, I’m like: ‘Oh my god, Ireland. The lyrical language,’” he enthused.
Shifting gears, the conversation turned to Nicholson’s penchant for playing darker characters, including his role in Novocaine. He asserted that portraying villains has been enjoyable: “100%. I mean, when I read something, I don’t make a judgment call on whether someone’s good or bad. I always look at their motivations.”
This perspective reflects Nicholson's belief that even antagonists can carry richness and depth, suggesting, “I would always argue… if you were making a movie about that character, they would be the hero, you know?” His commitment to embracing the complexities of each role adds to the layers of his performances.
As the months unfold and Novocaine arrives in theaters, audiences can anticipate an exhilarating blend of action and character exploration, with Nicholson poised to further establish himself as a rising star in Hollywood.
With the anticipation of this cinematic release, fans can look forward to more engaging performances from Nicholson as he continues to carve his path in the industry.
