Novocaine

Novocaine

Year: 2001

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: David Atkins

DramaThrillerComedyCrime

In this darkly comedic thriller, a seemingly content dentist's life unravels when a captivating new patient disrupts his neatly ordered world. As he becomes entangled in a web of seduction, addiction, and murder, Steve Martin's character finds himself struggling to maintain control amidst the chaos that surrounds him.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Novocaine yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Novocaine (2001)
Trace every key event in Novocaine (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Frank's Encounter with Susan

The film begins with Frank, a seemingly ordinary dentist, meeting Susan Ivey, an alluring new patient. Susan walks into his office seeking relief from tooth pain and requests a root canal procedure.

Day 1 Frank's Dental Office
2

Susan's Prescription Deception

During her visit, Frank prescribes Ibuprofen for her immediate pain relief. However, Susan claims to be allergic to it and manipulates Frank's prescription for the addictive painkiller, Demerol, inflating the amount to fifty tablets.

Day 1 Pharmacy
3

Appointment and Seduction

Susan arrives twelve hours late for her dental appointment, creating a chaotic situation. After a seductive encounter, Frank finds himself intoxicated and they end up spending the night together.

Night of Day 1 Frank's Dental Office
4

Narcotics Theft

Chaos ensues as Susan steals all of Frank's narcotics during their night together. This theft plunges Frank into an escalating crisis when a DEA agent visits his practice the following day.

Day 2 Frank's Dental Office
5

DEA Investigation Begins

A DEA agent arrives to investigate Frank's supply of narcotics after a young patient overdoses on cocaine Hydrochloride. Frank, now desperate, fabricates a story about the narcotics, claiming he has given them all to patients.

Day 2 Frank's Dental Office
6

Confrontation with Susan

That evening, Frank confronts Susan at her hotel, demanding the return of his empty narcotic containers. Once again, he falls victim to her charms as they spend another night together.

Night of Day 2 Susan's Hotel Room
7

Threat from Duane

The next day, Frank faces off against Susan’s brother, Duane, who menaces him to stay away from Susan. This confrontation is an alarming signal of the escalating danger surrounding Frank.

Day 3 Outside Susan's Hotel
8

Struggle with Duane

In a tragic turn of events, Frank returns to Susan's room only to find Duane waiting for him. During a struggle, Frank accidentally stabs Duane in the hand with scissors, leading to a chaotic escape.

Day 3 Susan's Hotel Room
9

Discovery of a Body

Upon returning home, Frank is horrified to discover Duane's lifeless body on the floor. This shocking event marks the beginning of Frank's spiral into deeper trouble as the police arrive at his home shortly after.

Day 3 Frank's Home
10

Frank's Arrest

As the police investigate the scene, they discover teeth marks on Duane's body, leading to Frank's unexpected arrest for murder. He is bewildered by the sudden turn of events, unaware of who really killed Duane.

Day 3 Frank's Home
11

Jean's Secret

Unbeknownst to Frank, his wife Jean is actually the one who killed Duane as a result of her affair with him. This revelation deepens the narrative, illustrating the web of deceit surrounding Frank's life.

After Day 3 Frank's Home
12

Tragic Family Loss

After escaping custody, Frank discovers that his mother has also been killed by Jean, prompting a frenzied and desperate plan. As chaos unfolds, Frank's world becomes increasingly volatile and dark.

After Day 3
13

Frank's Final Act

Desperate to cover up the mess, Frank uses his dental skills to replace his knocked-out teeth with his brother's before setting fire to his practice. He aims to erase the evidence linking him and Jean to their crimes.

After Day 3 Frank's Dental Office
14

New Life in France

In a peculiar twist, Frank and Susan manage to evade the law, escaping to France to start anew. They settle in a quaint countryside cottage, leaving behind the chaotic life that nearly consumed them.

After Day 3 France
15

Jean's Conviction

Meanwhile, as Frank and Susan find solace away from their troubles, investigative forensic evidence leads the authorities to conclude that Frank perished in the fire. Jean is ultimately convicted for the prior crimes that unfolded.

After Day 3 Courthouse

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 at 18:04

Similar Movies to Novocaine
Discover movies like Novocaine that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.