Like a double-edged sword, nepotism can be a tool for good. All the top stars and acts of Hollywood from Andy Macdowell to Lenny Kravitz have offspring that have star appeal and acting chops that make their parents proud. Margaret Qualley, Zoey Kravitz, Dakota Johnson (sans Madame Web), Wyatt Russell, and Justice Smith: all of them are from Hollywood parents and are rising stars in their own right.

What I’m getting at is that Dennis Quaid’s son, Jack Quaid, is another fine point for nepotism: he’s incredibly charming and is a likeable star in the movie Novocaine, though he didn’t get here without putting in work prior. No, he had to be in many, many roles leading up to being a main lister on The Boys and all sorts of TV and small-budget shows, before headlining his own act here with aplomb.

Adrenaline Rush

Jack Quaid plays Nathan Caine (heh), a 30-year old bank manager who is incapable of feeling physical pain throughout his life. When the girl of his dreams at his workplace, Sherry (Amber Midthunder of Prey), ends up getting kidnapped in a bank heist in Caine’s branch, he ups and attempts to rescue her, throwing caution in the wind. He of course uses his rare condition to his advantage, leading to inventive and creative moments that will gross you out while also making you laugh.

Caine has to put his hand through an active cook fryer to deal with threats, while also going through a booby-trapped house while triggering every trap there while not feeling a thing to these extreme Tom and Jerry-esque acts of violence. He even has to fake feeling pain from being tortured through absurd levels of “wayang” and sarcasm in a standout scene and action setpiece. It does get gritty and grimey action and shots-wise, but it doesn’t veer away from its comedic roots and timing.

Part of why this show works, apart from the neat premise in a standard action comedy flick, is because of Jack Quaid’s delivery and acting work. Sure, he may be playing a character we’ve seen before in his past ventures like The Boys, but now with a more leading man role which he’s grabbing by the reins and steering it well from start to finish. Part punching bag, part pin cushion, and part action hero, Quaid balances it all in a fine tightrope-walking act and makes this short theatrical run worth its weight in gold.

The other players surrounding the show? Ray Nicholson’s Simon is an entertaining villain with no remorse (also in the system via nepotism, since his dad’s Jack Nicholson). Amber Midthunder switches it up as Caine’s love interest that comes with a story twist that plays out as you would expect. Matt Walsh and Betty Gabriel play the detectives cracking in on the bank robbery case and on Caine’s case, delivering enough funny lines while not sticking out too much as side characters. All their roles play just fine and dandy. But really, all spotlights go on Quaid who can certainly carry the film on his own.

Paine Killer?

While Novocaine follows the standard average-guy-rises-to-the-occassion action film trope, it has a unique enough hook and a few twists to stand out on its own. Plus, it helps that we’re rooting for Jack Quaid’s character going through hell and non-pain in delivering solid laughs and scenes that make you wince and cringe, and with an appropriate run time too. And also seeing Quaid delivering 80s action hero lines like a boss in the second half when he’s at his wit’s end.

Novocaine doesn’t wear out its welcome and makes use of its setup and pacing to go above being another run-of-the-mill action show featuring a comedy actor in his prime. Just try to avoid the promo material and trailers from Paramount Pictures as they do spoil quite a lot of the mystique of the show and its surprises.

Final Score: 70/100