A recent movie trend (that I dislike, if not despise) is the brutally violent dark comedy.  Such films attempt to frame their mostly criminal-related plots in veiled comedy terms, with amoral characters killing and maiming at will and insisting that it’s all done in fun.  This isn’t a new concept but the staggering levels of bloodletting are now overpoweringly portrayed.

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s tale begins as an odd romance, then turns into a bank robbery caper, with the bank’s assistant manager Nate (Jack Quaid) following the getaway car because the robbers have taken teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder) as a hostage.  The twist here is that Nate cannot feel pain because of his weird medical condition, which allows him to wreak reluctant justice upon the criminals, one awkward fight at a time.

Yes, there is humor as Nate stumbles and apologizes through his quest, but the violence quotient is brutal.  Perhaps some see the various stabbings, shootings, burnings, bone breakings and general poundings as funny — and there are some wild moments — but how is it funny that the bank robbers viciously gun down responding police officers and then gloat about it?  Movies like this treat death far too glibly, and physical torture as something to enjoy.  For the most part, I do not enjoy this stuff.

The actors are good and there is a nice twist that sends the story in a fresh direction, aside from the whole “can’t feel pain” thing.  So even though I dislike the overwhelming brutality of the torturous adventure, there are some funny elements along the way, including the very reluctant friend who comes along to help Nate stay alive.  ☆ ☆.  24 January 2026.