Co-directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen bring Lars Jacobson’s action comedy to the screen about Nathan “Nate” Caine (Jack Quaid), an introverted bank executive suffering from congenital insensitivity to pain. He uses his rare condition to his advantage when he pursues a group of bank robbers who in the course of a theft kidnapped bank teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder), the girl of Nate’s dreams. (110 min.)
Glen Move over, Bob Odenkirk in Nobody (2021). Stand aside, Ke Huy Quan in Love Hurts (2025). There’s a new docile everyman who’s snaped out of complacency to become an ass-kicking superhero. Nate has to set an alarm every three hours to remind himself to pee, lest his bladder explode, since he’s incapable of feeling discomfort. His shower has a special stop on the knob to keep him from turning up the temperature and burning himself. He consumes a liquid diet for fear he’ll bite his tongue off when chewing without realizing it. He’s a homebody whose only social interaction is online gaming with his “friend,” Roscoe (Jacob Batalon), who he’s never met in person. When Sherry shows interest in him, Nate decides to take a chance on love … which leads him right into danger. Sweet, funny, bloody, and gory—it’s total fun.
Anna Nate is inspired to follow love after meeting with Earl (Lou Beatty Jr.), a client who lost his wife of 50 years and who tells Nate that it isn’t the time that matters, but the person—that his wife brought the sunshine into his life. Nate can’t help but feel a bit empty after looking at his life and how thin his connections are. Sure, he has Roscoe, but the two have never actually met in real life, and he doesn’t seem to have any other connections outside of his surface work relationships. Sherry breathes fresh life into his world, and he can’t believe it when she seems genuinely interested in getting to know him. While this film may feel like it’s a pretty straightforward plotline, the writers were clever here and threw in some twists I didn’t see coming. Quaid does well as the leading man, funny and quirky and charming. I loved it.
Glen Quaid has successfully made the transition to credible leading man, and his delivery of Jacobson’s very funny dialogue is perfectly timed. You can’t help but root for Nate to succeed, and though the ability to withstand any pain level seems like a superpower, it can also be a super curse. As Roscoe reminds him, he can still die. There’s a lot of physical comedy wrapped up in his affliction, for instance when he’s being tortured and has to pretend he’s suffering or when a boobytrapped house keeps flinging maiming devices his way. It’s a clever premise that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s also pretty outlandish and dark, and the bank robbers, especially Simon (Ray Nicholson), are just awful human beings who get what they deserve. Me likely!
Anna You’re rooting for Nate to win the day, but honestly, some moments you’re just hoping he somehow survives. Our bodies issue pain signals for a reason, and watching Nate dunk his hand into a deep fryer and take an arrow straight through both thighs means we must suspend our disbelief in what the human body can take. It’s all for fun though, and Quaid is smart enough to be cheeky instead of serious, a straight man even when the world is upside down and goofy all around. You’re right, Nicholson is a tremendously good bad dude. This film is just fun from top to bottom, as long as you can stand the gore that comes with it. Δ
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Spring Arts Annual 2025.