Paramount Pictures has dropped the official trailer for Novocaine, an original action thriller set to hit theaters on March 14, 2025. Starring Jack Quaid (The Boys) Betty Gabriel (Get Out), and Amber Midthunder (Prey), the film takes a unique spin on the vigilante genre with a protagonist who literally feels no pain.
Written by Lars Jacobson and directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (Villains, Significant Other), Novocaine follows Nathan Caine (Quaid), an everyman with congenital insensitivity to pain. When his girlfriend, played by Midthunder, is kidnapped during a robbery gone wrong, Nate transforms his rare condition into an unconventional weapon in a fight to rescue her. While he can’t feel pain, the trailer makes it clear that the physical consequences of his injuries are very real—raising the stakes as he faces off against dangerous criminals.
Watch the trailer below.
The cast includes an ensemble of familiar faces, such as Jacob Batalon (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Ray Nicholson (Smile 2), and Matt Walsh (Ted). Behind the scenes, producers Drew Simon, Tory Tunnell, Joby Harold, Sam Speiser, Matt Schwartz, and Julian Rosenberg bring the film to life under the banners of Paramount Pictures, Safehouse Pictures, and Circle Management + Production.
The trailer teases a mix of high-octane action and dark humor, drawing comparisons to films like Nobody and the stylized violence of The Boys. Quaid’s Nathan Caine is no trained assassin, but his inability to feel pain leads to some absurd—and brutal—sequences, such as embedding glass shards into his knuckles to mimic Wolverine or shrugging off a knife wound with a casual “It’s fine.”
The film also explores the vulnerabilities of its protagonist. Batalon’s character serves as a voice of reason, reminding Nate that while he may not feel pain, he isn’t invincible. This adds an emotional layer to the story, balancing the chaotic action with life-or-death stakes.
In an era where superhero fatigue is a growing concern, Novocaine aims to deliver something fresh. The film trades capes and superpowers for a grounded yet quirky approach, positioning Nate as an ordinary man whose extraordinary condition sets him apart. With its mix of visceral action, absurd humor, and heartfelt moments, Novocaine could offer a refreshing take on the genre.