The last couple of years I have tried to focus on reviewing new releases that I want to see, rather than bigger movies that might get more readers.
I enjoy mid-budget genre films but over the last decade these kinds of films have mostly evacuated multiplexes for streaming.
Looking at the 2025 slate, it felt like studios were actually making an effort at producing a variety of films.
As we enter the second quarter of the year, it is starting to feel like these movies are all occupying the same space - rather than filling different ones.
Companion, Heart Eyes and now Novocaine are all smaller-budgeted genre movies with clear high concepts. They all feature a bit of action, horror and comedy.
They have all been varying levels of fine.
I cannot get excited about any of them.
A pretty simple action thriller, Novocaine features a pair of actors I like, Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder (Prey).
Generally simplicity is a benefit for a movie like this - but I left underwhelmed.
This might be an effect of the trailers blowing the film’s best gags. There is one interesting reveal early on in the film, but it does not really shift the stakes - or add to Nathan’s character arc.
While I have bemoaned the loss of the mid budget genre feature, Novocaine and Heart Eyes have really hammered home the absence of another:
The romance/romantic comedy.
Where are they?
I was hoping the breakout success of the (incredibly flaccid) Anyone But You would spur a wave of similar films - but…
Studio comedies and romance movies have become such no-shows in theatres it feels like filmmakers are sneaking these genres into other genres’ clothes.
It is not earth-shattering, but the most engaging part of this movie is the romance between the leads.
Quaid, once again, makes for an affable, personable leading man. Midthunder is also good, but her role feels underwritten.
I almost wish they had gender-swapped their roles.
Jacob Batalon, the comic relief from Marvel’s Spider-Man movies, is great - but he is in way less of the movie than I hoped.
This trio feel like the building blocks of a romantic comedy, but instead they are in this, a vaguely watchable programmer that I have been struggling to write about for over a week.
As a genre-blend, Novocaine is a couple degrees away from being great. And it is too polished to be awful. It just kind of sits there.
Another issue this film reminded me of was how small movies have gotten. This movie is just a collection of rooms.
At no point does it feel like we are living in a world that extends beyond the frame.
I cannot lose the feeling that if this movie was made 10-20 years ago it would have a bigger sense of scale.
While Nathan’s escapes have a certain slapstick quality, the film’s sense of humour also feels undernourished.
We get a few improvised asides that do not feel organic to the characters but are just something that is expected.
Hopefully the rest of the cast get more chances - this vehicle just cannot run above the speed limit.
