Shadows on the Wall

Novocaine

dir Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
scr Lars Jacobson
prd Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, Drew Simon, Julian Rosenberg, Matt Schwartz
with Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, Conrad Kemp, Evan Hengst, Lou Beatty Jr, Craig Jackson, Garth Collins, Tristan de Beer
release US 14.Mar.25,
UK 28.Mar.25
25/US Paramount 1h50

TORONTO FILM FEST

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Because this bonkers action comedy feels like it's on the verge of spiralling out of control at any moment, it's entertaining to hang on for the ride. Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen push the absurd premise way over the top, generating hilariously grisly slapstick mayhem. And both Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder provide enough charm to keep us engaged right through the most outrageous chase and fight scenes.

As assistant manager of a San Diego bank, Nate (Quaid) maintains a quiet life because of a condition that leaves him unable to feel pain. He also keeps his crush on coworker Sherry (Midthunder) a secret, and is surprised when she flirts with him, turning his school nickname "Novocaine" into a superhero identity. Then three Santa Clauses (Nicholson, Kemp and Hengst) violently rob the bank, taking Sherry hostage in the process. So Nate goes after them, using his condition to his advantage. But two detectives (Gabriel and Walsh) think he's in cahoots with the criminals.

While the narrative's trajectory is predictable, the journey is thoroughly entertaining, with Nate diving into situations that are far beyond anything he thought he could face. This starts with his date with Sherry, which adds meaningful subtext as they reveal personal challenges to each other. But most of this is played for laughs, as the script inflicts every conceivable pain upon Nate, from a tattoo gun to a full range of blades, burns and broken bones. The excessive approach keeps us laughing, even as we flinch.

Quaid and Midthunder only have a few early scenes together, but they're such a likeable couple that their chemistry carries us through the chaos that follows. Quaid dives with full physicality into the nutty fight sequences, which continually spin in unexpected directions, maintaining a humorous tone even in the most hyper-violent moments. Gabriel and Walsh add terrific sardonic wit; Batalon and Beatty are superb as Nate's friends, pulled into the action; and Nicholson, Kemp and Hengst inject menacing kinetic energy into their vicious roles.

There's a sense that screenwriter Jacobson did just enough medical research to be able to drop clever details into a range of scenarios. But this is still one of those films in which people get shot, stabbed, bashed and mashed, and somehow still have energy to carry on fighting. Thankfully, the actors and filmmakers never take any of this too seriously, and audiences up for a wild ride will find that they have almost as much fun watching this as the cast and crew had making it.

themes, language, violence 24.Mar.25

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