A few years ago, I wrote an article for “COMICS ILLUSTRATED” on writing. I wrote that pain should be at the core of your story, and if you are not writing about pain, you have no story, none. It’s an opinion I still stand by. It doesn’t have to be the overall theme of your story, like for instance “The Dark Knight Rises” but pain has to be present in the story and in your process.  Without pain, without hurt, we won’t know your characters’ motivation, or their submissions too. Nathan Caine in Novocaine is all about pain, even with the absence of feeling physical pain or discomfort. 

Written by Lars Jacobson, and Directed by the of duo of Dan Berk and Robert Olson, with already a couple of films under their belt. A duo that seems Paramount Pictures have taken a shine to. They distribute this film, and producing their previous films. Starring Jack Quaid, and Amber Midthunder, Novocaine has its roots in horror, and definitely doesn’t let you forget that, but what it really is, is a love story, a solid love story. Lathered in comedy and buttress with an enjoyable subplot of Matt Walsh and Betty Gabriel playing police detectives with contrasting approaches to their jobs. They are lead investigators to the bank robbery that ignites the action. After that it goes full octane. Even after we wish it would end. Having a fourth ending to an ending is getting wearisome in movies. But there is a still freshness to this, even with that. 

The film does have its own distinct flavor to it. It seems the directors are fans of the slow motion action that almost grinds to a halt. Even with a mixture of comedy, action, and horror that is anew, it does embarks on some familiar settings (a knight rescuing his princess) and exaggerated characters.  The slow motion takes placed among the fight scenes and car chases  are used just at the right amount. The beyond uncomfortableness of viewing the abuses Nathan Caine takes tells me the filmmakers are trying to push the boundaries of its audience capacity to continue watching without looking away.  A compelling case could be made for a sequel to this, I hope not, but I have a feeling that we will.