Novocaine

R

Released Nov 16, 2001

1 hr. 34 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

List

38%

107 Reviews

Tomatometer

38%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Steve Martin is a prosperous dentist, secure in his neatly ordered existence and happily engaged to his ambitious dental hygienist (Laura Dern). But when an alluring new patient (Helena Bonham Carter) steps into his life, this ordinary man discovers how little control he has over his world as he is drawn into a maelstrom of sex, drugs and murder. Edgy and unpredictable, "Novocaine" also stars Kevin Bacon and Scott Caan and marks the feature directorial debut of writer David Atkins.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 29

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Novocaine on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

The quirky Novocaine flirts with both dark comedy and noir suspense, but the result is a jarring mix of tones which never quite mesh.

Read Critics Reviews

CJ S

Tries to be a quirky comedy, tense thriller, and a mystery who dunnit all at the same time, but the writing is terrible and so it fails to find that balance. The voice over literally narrating what is happening on screen drove me mad. Not a good film.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

Full Review

Kimberly H

I love Steve Martin, but not in this fly-blown carcass of a film. Novocain deadened my zest for film-watching so effectively, I was unable to finish it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Lite dental humor with a bit of murder mystery mixed in. Somewhat routine and predictable but better than a lot of higher reviewed films of the same time and type.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

kevin c

Steve Martin is a mild mannered dentist who gets caught up in a murder investigation and drug scandal when he becomes enamoured with a beautiful patient played by Helena Bonham Carter. Dark comedy/crime thriller is pretty effective. Great cast includes Laura Dern, Elias Koteas and Scott Caan. I enjoy seeing Steve Martin in a more serious role, even though I automatically assume the next line he spouts will be funny.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

camille l

Novocaine se veut être un mélange de comédie burlesque et de film noir à l'ancienne, le tout avec un Steve Martin qui devrait marier les deux genres, tout droit sorti de la Prisonnière Espagnole. Force est de constater que David Atkins a quasiment réussi son pari. En évitant la formule premier acte comique et deuxième acte thriller mais en mélangeant efficacement les deux, le film est plutôt agréable à suivre, grâce à de très bonnes performances (Scott Caan et Helena Bonham Carter sont particulièrement bons, mais Kevin Bacon brille de mille feux dans ses deux apparitions) et à un rythme plutôt soutenu. Novocaine est parfois un peu trop étrange pour son propre bien, mais en l'état, c'est un film plutôt réussi.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very underrated black comedy with a great cast, strong writing and a very clever ending. Would definitely recommend a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

David Atkins

Director

Steve Martin

Frank Sangster

Helena Bonham Carter

Susan

Laura Dern

Jean Noble

Elias Koteas

Harlan Sangster

Scott Caan

Duane

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

23%

51%

Who Is Cletis Tout?

43%

81%

Thursday

61%

68%

Clay Pigeons

73%

54%

Stuck

76%

76%

Freeway

TRAILER

for Freeway

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Trailer Bulletin: Damon, Jolie & De Niro in "The Good Shepherd"

Critical Consensus: "Dick & Jane" Not Much Fun; "Cheaper" Is Bankrupt

View more photos

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

This dark, stylish tale isn't for kids.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Jun 1, 2003

Full Review

Neil Smith

BBC.com

This Hitchcockian yarn compensates for its leading man's rather anonymous performance with some well-placed shocks, a morbid sense of humour, and a climax that will literally put your teeth on edge.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2002

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Dragan Antulov

Draxblog Movie Reviews

It is entertaining enough to arouse imagination of post-Tarantino audience.

Rated: 6/10

Mar 18, 2005

Full Review

Apollo Guide

Rated: 60/100

Mar 16, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Steve Martin is a prosperous dentist, secure in his neatly ordered existence and happily engaged to his ambitious dental hygienist (Laura Dern). But when an alluring new patient (Helena Bonham Carter) steps into his life, this ordinary man discovers how little control he has over his world as he is drawn into a maelstrom of sex, drugs and murder. Edgy and unpredictable, "Novocaine" also stars Kevin Bacon and Scott Caan and marks the feature directorial debut of writer David Atkins.

Director: David Atkins
Executive Producer: Michele Weisler
Screenwriter: Paul Felopulos, David Atkins, David Atkins
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment
Production Co: Artisan Entertainment, Numb Gums Productions Inc.
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 16, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now