The following contains spoilers for Novocaine, now playing in theatersNovocaine has a big twist that completely changes one important aspect of the film, but that is cleverly set up earlier in the movie. On the surface, Novocaine is a fairly straightforward film that adds a comedic layer to classic action movie tropes. After finally beginning a relationship with his long-unrequited crush Sherry, mild-mannered ᴀssistant bank manager Nathan finds himself chasing after a group of robbers who take her hostage. The Jack Quaid-led action movie has a lot of fun with the concept, throwing its unᴀssuming and unhurtable lead character into all sorts of dangerous situations.
It’s not a movie that initially seems to have too many twists and turns baked into the premise, as the real fun comes from watching Quaid’s Nathan struggle to become an action hero. However, halfway through the film there is a huge character twist that recontexualizes their entire role in the film and how they’re involved in the plot. Notably, it actually plays into the emotional arc the character has with Nathan and plays a big part in the critically acclaimed Novocaine‘s sweet ending.
Sherry Is Part Of The Bank Robbery In Novocaine
Sherry Wasn’t Taken Hostage By Accident
The big twist in Novocaine centers around Nathan’s love interest Sherry, who is a member of the inciting bank heist. At first, Sherry’s capture by the bank robbers seems to be an instance of bad luck. However, after returning to their hideout, Sherry is revealed to have actually been involved in the heist. She’s step-siblings with the leader of the trio, Simon. She got a job at the bank to get close to one of the bank managers. It’s also suggested that this isn’t the first time they’ve done something like this, hinting that she’s a career criminal like them.
Sherry being a part of the bank robbery in Novocaine is a big twist that adds a lot of dramatic potential to the film’s second half. This gives Nathan’s increasingly desperate attempt to rescue Sherry a devastating emotional turn when he discovers the truth, infusing the Jack Quaid action-comedy with a major tonal turn. This also ends up playing into Sherry’s eventual decision to turn against Simon, as her own feelings for Nathan and guilt over the deaths that have occurred in the robbery (all of which Simon ᴀssured her would never happen) push her away from the conspiracy.
One Of Sherry’s Lines In Novocaine Foreshadows The Reveal That Simon Is Her Brother
A Seemingly Throwaway Line Sets Up The Connection Between Sherry And Simon
Initially, there’s no real reason to believe that Sherry is doing anything more than talking about herself on a date with Nathan when she mentions her backstory. It turns out that Sherry was in the foster care system as a child and ended up being adopted by a family in the American southwest. She suggests this wasn’t a healthy environment for her, hinting that the conditions at this adopted home were not ideal. She ultimately left the house when she turned 18, implicitly moving on to a city like San Diego to escape her newfound family.
Simon is played by Ray Nicholson, who also appeared in memorably villainous roles in Smile 2 and Borderline.
This beat is open-ended enough that it would be easy to ᴀssume it was just a bit of character-building. However, the twist in the film’s second act about Sherry puts this bit of info in a new light. Given Simon’s suggestion that they’ve done this sort of thing before, it’s possible that pulling crimes like this is exactly the kind of thing she had to get used to with her adopted family and why she initially tried to leave them behind. She may have never fully broken contact with them, given she proves she’s capable of lying.
Novocaine Subtly Sets Up Why Sherry Would Rob The Bank
Sherry Is Too Good At Casually Lying
Before the twist revealing Sherry’s true role in the film, her date with Nathan actually lays a number of clues towards her later actions. Sherry’s backstory tease is just one way the film does this, hinting that she had a darker past than she wants to let on. While standing alongside Nathan and looking at independent art on sale, she celebrates when one of her pieces is sold. This suggests she needs money, which could explain why she takes part in the robbery in the first place.
There’s also the introduction of a man at the bar who used to pick on Nathan in middle school. Initially, it seems as if she’s developed an attraction to him to Nathan’s clear disappointment. However, she’s just lulling the former bully into doing a sH๏τ of extremely spicy H๏τ sauce as revenge for his prior treatment of Nathan. It’s a fun beat that cements her attraction to Nathan, but also highlights that she can easily deceive people — just as she is doing to Nathan (and the audience) by hiding her true intentions.
Why Sherry Betrays Simon & The Other Bank Robbers
Sherry May Be A Robber, But She’s Not A Killer
Despite being a part of the heist, it’s clear after the revelation about Sherry that she’s not as villainous as her partners-in-crime. Sherry is angry with Simon for shooting the bank manager and multiple cops, revealing that Simon had promised not to kill anyone during the heist. While Sherry might be willing to rob people or manipulate them to reach her goals, it’s clear she does have some morals that make it hard for her to go along with Simon’s plans.
Simon’s descent into murderous villainy and his attempts to kill Nathan pushes Sherry to fully turn on her brother…
The final straw for Sherry seems to be Nathan, whom Simon tries to kill after revealing the truth of Sherry’s actions. After tearfully apologizing for lying to Nathan and saving his life from a murderous Simon, Sherry almost gets killed by her adopted brother before the police arrive. Simon’s descent into murderous villainy and his attempts to kill Nathan pushes Sherry to fully turn on her brother, prompting her to save Mincy and follow after Simon. This sets her up to save Nathan in the climax and ultimately take part in the final brawl with her brother.
What Happens To Sherry In Novocaine After The Bank Robbery
Sherry Gets The Boy (And Also Reduced Jail Time)
Sherry survives the ending of Novocaine and ultimately gets a mostly happy ending. While she is arrested for her part in the heist, it’s notable that she only receives a relatively light sentence of 18 months in prison. This is likely because, similar to how Nathan was given leniency for his crimes, both characters stopped to administer aid that saved a police officer’s life. Sherry also did not carry out any of the violent aspects of the heist, meaning that she remained a more sympathetic character to the audience who didn’t require a harsh comeuppance.
Sherry even ends Novocaine in a relationship with Nathan, who is revealed to have fully healed up from his injuries after a year. The movie ends with Nathan visiting Sherry in prison, confirming that their romance has endured even while he’s been under house arrest and she’s been in prison. It’s a sweet ending for Novocaine that pays off the more sympathetic portrayal of Sherry, even despite her actual role in the plot of the film.
