Novocaine Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dentist loses his mind and teeth after a hot mess of a patient steals his drugs and frames him for everything; it’s like a bad dental dream mixed with a crime show.

🍿 Novocaine: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dentist’s Life Disrupted

Dr. Frank Sangster, a successful and seemingly content dentist, finds his life turned upside down by Susan Ivey, a seductive new patient with a toothache and a hidden agenda. Frank is engaged to his hygienist, Jean, and lives a structured life until Susan walks into his office. Susan manipulates Frank into giving her a prescription for Demerol, claiming an allergy to other painkillers. However, she alters the prescription to obtain a much larger quantity, setting off a chain of events that unravels Frank’s perfect existence.

Entanglement and Theft

Frank succumbs to Susan’s advances, leading to a drunken encounter and a night of passion. During the night, Susan steals his entire supply of narcotics. The next day, a DEA agent arrives, investigating a case linked to Frank’s practice, putting him in a precarious situation. Facing potential arrest, Frank tries to confront Susan, but his efforts only deepen his involvement in her dangerous world. He is soon entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and escalating threats.

Murder and Frame-Up

Frank’s troubles escalate when Susan’s violent brother, Duane, threatens him. A confrontation ensues, and Frank accidentally stabs Duane. Later, Frank finds Duane dead in his home, making him the prime suspect in a murder he didn’t commit. The police investigation intensifies, with an eccentric actor shadowing the detectives for research adding to Frank’s anxiety. Frank is eventually arrested, framed with his own teeth marks found on the victim.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Frank Sangster (Steve Martin): A straitlaced dentist whose life unravels after becoming entangled with a seductive patient and a series of crimes.
• Susan Ivey (Helena Bonham Carter): A seductive and manipulative drug addict who throws Frank’s life into chaos.
• Jean Noble (Laura Dern): Frank’s seemingly sweet fiancée who is later revealed to be a mastermind behind the chaos.
• Harlan Sangster (Elias Koteas): Frank’s ne’er-do-well brother who gets caught up in the criminal events.
• Duane (Scott Caan): Susan’s violent and protective brother who adds to Frank’s troubles.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Frank: “Strange as it may seem, it didn’t hurt like I thought it would. In fact, with each tooth I pulled, I felt a little better… a little less trapped… a little more free. Until I felt so free that what I had to do didn’t seem so bad at all.” – Frank reflects on the act of pulling his own teeth as part of his plan to fake his death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,036,682
• Worldwide Gross: $2,534,372

💥 Novocaine Reviews

Personal Review

I was really surprised by Novocaine. I went in expecting a light comedy, but it was so much darker and weirder than I thought it would be. The scene where Steve Martin pulls out his own teeth was hard to watch, but incredibly intense. Helena Bonham Carter just owns every scene she’s in, and Laura Dern is fantastic as the seemingly perfect girlfriend. It’s a movie that sticks with you after it’s over.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy Steve Martin’s dramatic roles”
  • “People who appreciate films with plot twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Violence”
  • “Graphic dental procedures”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Novocaine is a surprisingly well-crafted dark comedy. Steve Martin delivers a strong performance as a dentist caught in a web of deceit. It’s unpredictable and keeps you guessing. Helena Bonham Carter is great as the femme fatale.
• IMDb: “The suspense in Novocaine is really good, keeps you wondering while the actors do a great job with the comic side of it. A great film. Steve Martin has shown he’s good at suspense thrillers with this and The Spanish Prisoner.
• IMDb: “This movie is a strangely intoxicating, saved by good pacing and casting. Steve Martin is convincing in a challenging part. Helena Bonham Carter is exquisite. At the end, I wanted to watch it again to appreciate the fine points.

Audience Reactions

Twists and turns kept me guessing the whole time.: Unpredictable plot twists and turns.

Steve Martin shows his range as an actor, excelling in this darker role.: Solid performances from all the cast.

Overall Consensus: Novocaine is a dark, quirky film with strong performances and plenty of twists, making it an entertaining watch if you’re in the mood for something a little different.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Steve Martin’s and Scott Caan’s on-set relationship was reportedly strained due to Caan’s behavior during a stunt scene.”
• “The opening credits feature X-ray images of people, setting a unique tone for the film.”
• “Kevin Bacon’s cameo as an actor doing research for a police role was uncredited.”

🖥️ How to Watch Novocaine?

Novocaine is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. Purchasing the film provides offline viewing, while renting offers temporary access for a limited period.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Novocaine, you might like these similar films:

• The Spanish Prisoner (1997): Shares a similar plot structure with unexpected twists and Steve Martin in a non-comedic role.
• Fight Club (1999): Thematic similarities with the disruption of a mundane life by a charismatic and destructive force, featuring Helena Bonham Carter.
• After Hours (1985): An ordinary man’s life descends into a series of increasingly bizarre and surreal encounters over the course of one night.

🛒 Novocaine Related Products

• The Spanish Prisoner (Blu-ray): Another twisty thriller starring Steve Martin, this is a must-see for fans who enjoyed the suspenseful aspects of Novocaine.
• Helena Bonham Carter: The Unofficial Biography: A fascinating look at the career of the enigmatic actress, highlighting her diverse roles and unique talent.
• Oral-B Electric Toothbrush: Inspired by the dental setting of Novocaine, this toothbrush will keep your pearly whites shining.
• Crime Scene Investigation Game: Step into the shoes of a detective and solve a complex murder mystery, inspired by the crime elements of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Novocaine features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Concerto No. 3 in G for Violin and Orchestra, K.216” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• “Novocaine Main Titles” – performed by Danny Elfman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jack Quaid Caught Me Throwing Novocaine Punches

Ever wonder what it’s like at a movie premiere? Check out this quick clip of Jack Quaid at the Novocaine premiere – looks like fun and games were definitely on the menu!

Novocaine – Movie Review

Thinking about watching Novocaine? Jeremy Jahns gives a pretty thorough review, so you can decide if it’s your kind of movie. He doesn’t pull any punches, which I appreciate!

✨ Rate