After starring in last month’s AI thriller “Companion,” Jack Quaid is back at the box office this weekend with “Novocaine,” an action comedy where he plays a man who can’t feel pain.
The R-rated film from Paramount has made $1.75 million in previews so far at the box office. It is on track to make $10 million to $12 million in its first weekend, which should put it above last week’s box office champ “Mickey 17.” The Warner Bros. sci-fi movie, from “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, is expected to drop 55% to 60% in its second weekend to make $8 million to $9 million.
“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.
Quaid stars as everyday businessman Nathan Caine in “Novocaine.” He leads a pretty ordinary life, except he has a rare disorder where he can’t feel any pain. His life is turned upside down when he meets the girl of his dreams, played by Amber Midthunder, but she gets kidnapped during a bank robbery. To save her, Nathan does his best superhero impression and uses his incredible pain tolerance to violently defeat the criminals.
Also opening this weekend is director Steven Soderbergh and Focus Features’ spy thriller “Black Bag,” starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, and A24’s satirical comedy “Opus,” with Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich. “Black Bag” is on track to make $7 million to $8 million in its opening, while “Opus” aims for $2 million to $4 million.
