Novocaine
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 14, 2025 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
58
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews
Positive:
19
Mixed:
17
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Original-CinThom ErnstMar 11, 2025
A raucous, non-stop, full-throttle slapstick comedy that makes an episode of The Three Stooges seem like a production of Swan Lake. Read full review
80
New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriMar 17, 2025
Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen take this dumb-clever, fake-movie-science idea and run with it as hard and as fast as they can in one straight direction, using Nate’s condition as an excuse for pure, unchecked mayhem. Read full review
80
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiMar 8, 2025
Jack Quaid was born for a role like this. The actor’s unassuming cheerfulness provides the perfect comedic counterpoint to the film’s increasingly absurd gross-out action gags. Read full review
80
LooperAudrey FoxMar 8, 2025
Novocaine is packed full of inventive action set pieces that are alternately gruesome, goofy, and sometimes even both at once. It may not be for everyone, but it kind of feels like the gold standard for this very specific brand of action comedy. Read full review
80
IGNLena WilsonMar 8, 2025
Novocaine offers more depth than its gimmicky “man who feels no pain” premise may lead you to believe. This movie breathes new life into old ideas, with an original hero buoyed by the charm of Jack Quaid and a heroine who ably beats the damsel-in-distress allegations. Novocaine is smart, but not so self-aware that it’s likely to alienate anybody; sharp, but not without feeling. Read full review
80
SlashfilmBill BriaMar 8, 2025
Novocaine is a delightful and surprisingly relatable hoot. If too many over-stylized, gleefully immature action movies have been a particular pain in your ass lately, then consider Novocaine your analgesic. Read full review
80
ColliderJeff EwingMar 8, 2025
It’s a gory, bonkers action-comedy premise anchored by a set of strong performances and a surprisingly poignant meet-cute, making for a wildly memorable action outing. Read full review
80
Screen RantRachel LaBonteMar 8, 2025
Between the humor and Quaid's performance, there's so much fun to be had here that it's easy to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckMar 8, 2025
The numerous fight scenes, which often lapse into extreme gore, are as amusing as they are exciting. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comPeyton RobinsonMar 14, 2025
Berk and Olsen accomplish a formidable action-comedy, one that puts their horror roots in neon lights and sense of humor on equal display. Read full review
75
The Seattle TimesMark MeszorosMar 13, 2025
Novocaine wins with violence and personality. It’s simply fun to hang out with Nate. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalKyle SmithMar 14, 2025
The almost nonstop fighting and Mr. Quaid’s low-key charm are enough to make the movie a serviceable action offering. Moreover, the script, though focused on wacky spasms of violence, has a strong human element at its core. Read full review
70
We Got This CoveredDemi PhillipsMar 13, 2025
Jack Quaid proves yet again that there's always room for a new kind of hero. Read full review
70
The New York TimesBrandon YuMar 13, 2025
The violent comedy works most of all through Quaid, who is natural and nimble in embodying the funny paradox of a nebbishy hero who just won’t go down. Read full review
70
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzMar 11, 2025
Mostly “Novocaine” is just fun. And mostly, that’s enough. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMar 12, 2025
Despite the stylish direction from the duo of Dan Berk and Robert Olsen and winning performances by Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, “Novocaine” sputters to the finish line. Read full review
63
The Associated PressLindsey BahrMar 12, 2025
Novocaine also kind of overstays its welcome, stretching on too long with too many endings. Still, it’s an easy, if not entirely painless, watch. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliMar 11, 2025
As it is, this is a painless experience but lacks the qualities to make it a true pleasure. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineRocco T. ThompsonMar 8, 2025
We’re used to heroes who can take a licking and keep on ticking, but Novocaine takes action-movie invulnerability to brutal comic extremes. Read full review
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