Novocaine

Summary

Podcast Summary: Pop Culture Happy Hour – Episode: Novocaine

Release Date: March 19, 2025

NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour brings together arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris, along with a rotating cast of guests, to delve into the latest happenings in the pop culture universe. In the episode titled "Novocaine," the hosts and guests dissect the gleefully grisly action comedy starring Jack Quaid. This detailed summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key points, insightful discussions, and memorable quotes.

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Introduction to "Novocaine"

At the outset, Jordan Morris sets the scene by introducing the movie:

[00:50] Jordan Morris: "In the gleefully grisly action comedy Novocaine, Jack Quaid plays a sweet, nerdy guy who does not experience physical pain. He falls for a woman who's determined to get him to leave his safe, risk-averse life behind. That happens in a big and very bloody way when she gets kidnapped by bank robbers and he sets out to rescue her."

This premise lays the groundwork for an exploration of unique character dynamics and unconventional storytelling.

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Guest Introductions and Initial Impressions

Jordan Crucciola, a writer and producer, and Jordan Morris, a writer contributing to the upcoming comics anthology Godzilla vs. LA, join the discussion. Their initial impressions highlight both enthusiasm and critical observations about the film.

[05:14] Jordan Crucciola: "I was pleasantly surprised at how completely charmed I am by Jack Quaid's whole deal. He is the exact right alchemy of the toxic, nerdy guy lead... he is the keystone to unlocking that Companion boy."

Her remarks underscore Quaid's performance as a standout element, blending vulnerability with unexpected resilience.

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Performance Highlights: Jack Quaid and Ray Nicholson

The conversation delves deeper into the actors' performances. Quaid's portrayal of Nathan Cain, a man unable to feel pain, is lauded for its nuance and charm.

[05:33] Jordan Morris: "He's having a moment. And as much as I don't like the boys, I loved Companion and I kind of loved him in this."

Additionally, Ray Nicholson's role as Simon, the bank robber, garners praise despite the character's limited backstory.

[09:18] Jordan Crucciola: "Ray Nicholson has become my favorite new person to see cast in a movie. He is a feral animal... his composure and the way he carries himself really lift the film for me."

Their performances add layers to the film, making even secondary characters compelling and memorable.

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Structural Analysis and Pacing

A critical discussion ensues about the film's pacing and structure. Jordan Crucciola points out areas where the narrative could have been tighter.

[07:38] Jordan Crucciola: "I have no problem with this movie in terms of dialogue, in terms of characters, in terms of actors. This is all purely a structural problem."

Conversely, Jordan Morris appreciates the character development and the time taken to build the relationship between Nathan and Sherry.

[08:30] Jordan Morris: "I love how long it takes... to set up the relationship... they're real people."

This balance of critique and praise offers listeners a nuanced perspective on the film's execution.

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Humor and Genre Blending

The film's ability to blend action with comedy, particularly slapstick elements, is a focal point of the discussion. The hosts highlight scenes where Nathan's inability to feel pain leads to humorous situations, adding levity to the intense action sequences.

[12:54] Unnamed Guest: "He's great in that moment. It's one of the better bits I've seen in a movie in a while."

These moments exemplify the film's unique tone, balancing gore with laughter.

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Christmas Movie Debate

An amusing debate emerges over the film's setting during Christmas, leading to playful assertions that Novocaine qualifies as a Christmas movie—a nod to classics like Die Hard.

[13:39] Unnamed Guest: "This movie is set during Christmas time. It is a Christmas movie."

This playful exchange underscores the film's ability to intertwine genres and themes effectively.

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Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several memorable quotes capture the hosts' and guests' sentiments:

• Jordan Crucciola [05:14]: "Jack Quaid is like the exact right alchemy of the toxic, nerdy guy lead... he is the keystone to unlocking that Companion boy."

• Unnamed Guest [05:49]: "He [Ray Nicholson] makes himself super fun to watch and super compelling."

• Jordan Morris [07:53]: "For every minute this film were shorter, it would be precisely 1.5% better."

• Unnamed Guest [12:54]: "He's great in that moment. It's one of the better bits I've seen in a movie in a while."

These quotes encapsulate the mixed yet appreciative tone of the discussion.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate their appreciation for the film's inventive premise and strong performances, despite some structural critiques. They encourage listeners to share their thoughts and engage with the show on social media platforms.

[14:14] Jordan Morris: "Thank you so much for being here. And just a reminder that signing up for Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus is a great way to support our show and public radio."

The episode concludes with acknowledgments and a reminder of the show's support options, maintaining a community-focused spirit.

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Overall, this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of Novocaine, balancing praise for standout performances with constructive critiques of its narrative structure. The thoughtful dialogue and interactive banter between hosts and guests provide listeners with a rich understanding of the film's strengths and areas for improvement, making it a valuable listen for both fans and newcomers.

Transcript

[Glenn Weldon]

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[Jordan Morris]

In the gleefully grisly action comedy Novocaine, Jack Quaid plays a sweet, nerdy guy who does not experience physical pain. He falls for a woman who's determined to get him to leave his safe, risk averse life behind. That happens in a big and very bloody way when she gets kidnapped by bank robbers and he sets out to rescue her. I'm Glenn Weldon and today we're talking about Novocaine on Pop Culture Happy hour from NPR.

[Glenn Weldon]

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[Jordan Morris]

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[Glenn Weldon]

This message comes from Warby Parker. If you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be find a Warby Parker store near you at warbyparker.com retail. This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch joining me today is Jordan Crucciola.

[Jordan Morris]

She's a writer and producer and the host of the podcast Feeling Seen on Maximum Fun. Hey, Jordan. Welcome back.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Hello. Thank you so much for having me. Once again, always great.

[Jordan Morris]

Also with us is Jordan Morris. He's a writer and podcaster who contributed to the upcoming comics anthology Godzilla vs. LA, which is a charity project for LA Wildlife Relief. Hello, Jordan, Hi.

[Unnamed Guest]

I just want to say it's great to be here with y'all talking about a movie that's not about a deep cut Spider man villain.

[Jordan Morris]

There we go.

[Unnamed Guest]

Although this movie could have used a little Venom. This movie could have used a little bit of Venom.

[Jordan Crucciola]

He would have been right at home.

[Jordan Morris]

Yeah, right. What movie? Not use a little bit of. I love that we're crossing the Jordans here. I love it whenever we cross the Jordans. Make me feel like Jill Hennessy over here even more than baseline. Okay, let's do it. In Novocaine, Jack Quaid plays Nathan Cain. Get it? Who has a genetic condition that prevents him from experiencing physical pain. As a result, he's led a sheltered and cautious life. He's the assistant manager in a bank. He falls in love with Sherry, a free spirited bank teller played by Amber Midthunder. During a bank heist, she gets kidnapped and Nathan is determined to rescue her, leading to an escalating series of physical conflicts which leave him bruised, battered, bloodied, and briefly deep fried. But undeterred, he's aided in his quest by his online friend Roscoe, played irl by Spider Man's Jacob Batalon. There's the Spider man connection. Novocain is in theaters now. Jordan C. Jordan Crucial to kick us off. What'd you think?

[Jordan Crucciola]

I had a blast. I was laughing out loud and listen, I'm an easy mark. That's a true thing. But like it was a blitzkrieg trailer assault for this thing. It pre rolled before any movie you've seen in the past few months. And I was like, I mean this looks totally for me, like, I hope it holds up. Over the course of the movie, I was pleasantly surprised at how it didn't become threadbare for me. And I remain shocked at how completely charmed I am by Jack Quaid's whole deal. Okay, wait, hold on.

[Unnamed Guest]

Look, I still feel like we can get what we want here.

[Jordan Morris]

Oh, you're strong.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Jack Quaid is like the exact right alchemy of the like, toxic, nerdy guy lead. That has never worked for me before, but he is apparently the keystone to unlocking that Companion boy. Is this Jack Quaid's doing it?

[Jordan Morris]

Yeah, he's having a moment. And as much as I don't like the boys, I loved Companion and I kind of loved him in this.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Yes. Thumbs up.

[Glenn Weldon]

Thumbs up.

[Jordan Morris]

All right, Jordan Morris, hit me.

[Unnamed Guest]

What'd you think before my thoughts on the movie, I'd like to present a pre prepared joke if I may.

[Jordan Morris]

Please do. Got it in the can. Uncan it.

[Unnamed Guest]

Yeah. So as you mentioned, this movie stars Jack Quaid, who's Dennis Quaid's son. It also features Ray Nicholson as one of the villains. He's Jack Nicholson's kid. I think they should have called this movie nepovicane.

[Jordan Morris]

Oh, there we go. Is that worth doing?

[Unnamed Guest]

Was that worth doing?

[Jordan Morris]

It was a long walk, but I'm glad we got there.

[Jordan Crucciola]

The people wanna hear it. People wanna hear it. Acknowledge.

[Unnamed Guest]

Yeah, this is my lane for sure. I like a premise, I like an upgrade. I like a crank. So this is kind of like in my zone. And there's a lot of fun stuff in it. I just think you should know before going into it before the poop hits the fan. You get about a half an hour of a kind of a meh rom com before the stuff starts. And Jack Quaid, I also love him. I think his whole deal is great. He's great in that Scream movie. He is great as the voice of Superman in my adventures with Superman.

[Jordan Crucciola]

He's great in the boys. Everything about him should repel me based on a whole archetype I can't stand. But he is like the exception that proves the rule.

[Unnamed Guest]

He has an easy charm and they have great chemistry. And it's kind of a hot chemistry too. I think they are very fun to watch together. I think the rom com portion of the script is not strong. There is a long, long bit where she's trying to get him to eat pie.

[Jordan Morris]

Here we go.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yep.

[Unnamed Guest]

Taking a bite.

[Glenn Weldon]

Open your mouth. Okay. Remember, chew softly. Yup.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Uh huh.

[Glenn Weldon]

Let the magic happen.

[Unnamed Guest]

I could not wait for that to be over. Despite the two of them being very fun to watch together. So I think that part of the movie isn't super strong, but once it gets going and you start fulfilling the promise of the premise. Man who Cannot feel pain. Has a lot of things happen to him. It's pretty fun and funny. Yeah, it kind of goes into a couple of cliches that, you know, maybe I rolled my eyes a little bit at. But the fun stuff is real fun.

[Jordan Morris]

Okay. I mostly dug this. I kind of come down, I think, between you two. Something happened to me, though, while watching this movie that has never happened to me before, probably will never happen to me again. I started doing math, which you brought.

[Unnamed Guest]

Out your graph paper.

[Jordan Morris]

Math. And I have a very checkered history. We avoid each other when we can. She knows why. But all of a sudden, I sat there and my brain was going, for every minute this film were shorter, it would be precisely 1.5% better. And now I don't know where that came from, but it is a conviction that I now kind of have stronger than steel. If this film currently clocks in at an hour and 50 minutes, this kind of movie should not do that. I know for a fact that if this film were, for example, 30 minutes shorter, it would be 45% better. That's just science. Now, I say that, but I completely disagree with you, Jordan Morris. I love how long it takes somewhere between 15 to 20 minutes, I think, to set up the relationship between Nathan and Cherry in the beginning because they emerge as real people. She's a dream girl. She's not a manic pixie dream girl. I love Quaid. I love Ember, Midthunder from Prey and from the weirdest television show in the last 10 years, Legion. I loved all the time spent with him. Me. Do I contradict myself? Very well, then? I contradict myself. Enlarge. I contain multitudes. I wouldn't cut that stuff at all. I would cut much most all of the third act, which is where this movie and the violence therein stops escalating and just plateaus and just repeats and repeats and repeats. And I have no problem with this movie in terms of dialogue, in terms of characters, in terms of actors. This is all purely a structural problem.

[Jordan Crucciola]

I will say the reason I think it hung in there for me is because Rhae Nicholson has become my favorite new person to see cast in a movie. I am so compelled by him that the, like, five minutes that he had in Smile 2, he is so terrifying in that that I was like, God, I can't wait to see what else this guy can do. And this guy is a feral animal. He's not that big. He's a little bit wiry. But like his comportment and the way he carries himself, he really Lifted for me.

[Jordan Morris]

Yeah. We should say for our listeners that Ray Nicholson plays Simon, the lead bank robber. And I was not familiar with Ray Nicholson before this, but I am now because I totally agree with you, Jordan. Like, when he's on the screen, you can't help but look at him. I remember thinking, this guy's bringing more heat, more intensity, more charisma to this very sketched out role. Like, you know, I mean, it's interesting that this film is about a genetic condition. And you mentioned the Nepo baby thing, Jordan. I mean, like, it turns out Riz is a genetic condition because this guy.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Has, it turns out.

[Unnamed Guest]

Mm. That villain role is pretty thin. They don't give him a tragic backstory. You don't learn about why Payne made him the way he is. He's just kind of a bad guy, but just through pure acting choices, he makes himself super fun to watch and super compelling. I know it's not super productive to criticize a movie for not doing a thing that you thought it should do, but didn't. Kind of feel like we were building to a twist where Ray Nicholson has the same condition that Jack Quaid does, and we get two guys who can't feel pain. Just go into town on it.

[Jordan Crucciola]

I think you're too superhero programmed for that. You might be right. I think you're very superhero pilled to be like, ah, it's our glass unbreakable moment.

[Jordan Morris]

That's Novocaine 2, right?

[Unnamed Guest]

Yeah.

[Jordan Morris]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Guest]

He feels the pain, but he don't mind.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Yeah, exactly.

[Jordan Morris]

I think one of my issues with the film, I mean, this film plays very fast and loose with an actual genetic condition called congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Now, the film ignores the anhydrosis part. Anhydrosis means, basically, you don't sweat. Okay, here's the thing the movie still has to contend with. Even if no pain is involved, there's still such a thing as, like, physics, right? Basic physics and shattered bones and blood loss and organ damage would render the human body unable to move, much less fight. But the movie doesn't want us thinking about that. So I think it takes the exact opposite tack that it should. Instead of just ratcheting things up and up and up to the point of absurdity, it does that thing where it plateaus, and what it's doing there is. It's trying to have give us a breather, to let a semblance of logic and reality kind of reassert itself in a movie like this. That's the death knell. Reality has no place in a movie like this. We never question how John Wick or any character played by Jason Statham keeps going because those movies never slow down. They never let up. This movie slows down and lets up.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Looking at Jack Quaid evokes a different thing in your mind for what a person is capable of than when you're looking at a staithe.

[Jordan Morris]

Absolutely. That's a great point.

[Jordan Crucciola]

You're like, look at Glass Joe over here. He's gonna crumble like a house of cards. I will say, if you guys are hungry for that kind of escalation steadily throughout the movie, there is a lot of it. And the directors, they do a very good job of continuing to find things that would make you go when you thought the last thing was the worst or most surprising thing you were gonna see. They do sustain that clip for a long time. And there are a lot of very worthy. Oh, no. Throughout the course of Novocaine that I was excited, extremely satisfied by the best.

[Unnamed Guest]

Bit in the movie. At some point, Jack Quaid gets captured by the bad guys. Then they don't know that he has this condition and decide to torture him. And he has to fake like he's in pain. And it's a subtle little comedy job by him. And it's really funny.

[Jordan Crucciola]

It's really funny.

[Unnamed Guest]

He's great in that moment. It's one of the better bits I've seen in a movie in a while. And I think all the slapstick in this movie really works. And I think that is cr.

[Jordan Crucciola]

We have to shout out that Jack Quaid is not only a Quaid, he's a Ryan.

[Unnamed Guest]

Oh, that's right.

[Jordan Crucciola]

His mother is Meg Ryan and he got the right proportion of her charm, like we said. Is Riz an inheritable trait? Yes, it is.

[Unnamed Guest]

Yes, it is something we should mention. This movie set during Christmas time. It is a Christmas time.

[Jordan Morris]

It's a Christmas movie.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Thank you for pointing this out.

[Unnamed Guest]

Tired Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Wired Novocaine is a Christmas movie.

[Jordan Morris]

Well, we want to know what you think about Novocaine. Find us on [e-mail] PCHH and on [e-mail] NPRpopculture. We'll have a link in our episode description. And that brings us to the end of our show, the Jordans. Jordan Morris. Jordan Krushchowli. Thank you so much for being here.

[Jordan Crucciola]

Thank you so much for having me.

[Unnamed Guest]

Yes, and thank you for having me, Mary Cross. Merry Christmas, everyone, one and all.

[Jordan Morris]

And just a reminder that signing up for Pop Culture Happy Hour plus is a great way to support our show and public radio. And you get to listen to all of our episodes sponsor free. So please go find out more at plus.npr.org happyhour or visit the link in our show notes. This episode was produced by Liz Metzger and Mike Katsif and edited by Jessica Reedy. And hello, Come in provides our theme music. Thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr. I'm Glenn Weldon and we'll see you all next time.

[Glenn Weldon]

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