Novocaine (2025)

“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. opens this 2025 movie Novocaine set to release on March 14th. Ironically the film is about a man who doesn’t feel pain. Jack Quaid’s character Nathan Caine has the rare condition CIP, or Congenital Insensitivity to Pain. His nickname, somewhat appropriately then as “Novo-Caine” follows him into adulthood, where most with this condition are not expected to live past 25 years of age. The bully we meet at the bar who coins the term and hits on Sherry, played by Amber Midthunder, the girl of his dreams does get what comes to him, no spoilers though.



One can imagine the hijinks that can be written into a movie where the main character can get shot, stabbed, burned, bones broken and still continue to function. All this while upbeat tunes like “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” by Caroline Polachek and “Casual” by Chappell Roan plays in the background. The soundtrack also includes Charles Trenet, a score by Steve Bartek and movie music stable Danny Elfman.



My favorite song in the movie was “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago, set to a torture scene, the villain having a history in the special forces. What does that say about 80’s hair bands? The best part about the character was how polite he was, asking if it was ok before inflicting bodily harm to the opposition. He, himself had tattoos all over, because when you can’t feel pain, why not? At the end of the day, he does get the girl and ultimately, it’s just a meet-cute love story that starts with a Christmas bank robbery and ends in cherry pie.