Novocaine could have been written by a 12-year-old, and I’m not sure I mean that pejoratively. It’s a riff on superhero stories, but it’s been thought up with a whiff of dopey plausibility: The film’s protagonist,

“Novocaine” only cost $18 million to produce, so (like its main character) it shouldn’t be feeling any pain at the box office. On the flip side, “Mickey 17” cost $118 million to produce and needs around $275 million to $300 million worldwide to make a profit.

Jack Quaid went full method to promote 'Novocaine' by getting progressively more injured at Sunday's Clippers vs. Kings game.

Being a good guy isn't always painless but it is pretty fun for Jack Quaid, who gets a star vehicle with his new action comedy "Novocaine."

Quaid's leading role in Novocaine feels like a natural continuation of these genre-bent everymen. He plays Nathan Caine, a mild-mannered assistant bank manager who has congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), a genetic disorder that impacts his nervous system to the point that he can't feel pain or temperature.

The hero at the heart of “Novocaine” can't feel pain. The new film in theaters Friday stars Jack Quaid as Nate, an ordinary guy whose disability becomes his saving grace when attempting to save a hostage from violent criminals.