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25th March 2025
05:04pm GMT
After scene-stealing in a major way in last year's hit horror sequel Smile 2, Ray Nicholson is back in cinemas this week in the action flick Novocaine.
The movie stars Jack Quaid as a mild-mannered man named Nathan living with a real-life condition known as CIPA, which means he is unable to feel physical pain.
However, when his bank is robbed and the woman he loves (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped by a group of vicious criminals (led by Nicholson, often sporting a psychopathic grin), Nathan decides to pursue the gang of murderous thieves and turn his unique condition into an advantage.
JOE interviewed the directors and cast of the film, including Nicholson, and during the chat, we asked him about his Irish ancestry.
After all, Ray's father is legendary actor Jack Nicholson, who has described himself as Irish in the past, as his mother was of Irish descent.
When we asked the Novocaine actor if he has spent any time in Ireland, he revealed he had only ever been here once with his family, but that it was "one of the most fun times" he ever had.
He told us:
"I claim that I'm Irish even though I'm not 100% Irish. I'm always like: 'Oh no I'm Irish 100%,' even though I'm like 25%. So, I love Ireland.
"I've actually never been to Ireland but once. I had a layover with my family and it was actually one of the most fun times. It was the first time I ever had a beer with my dad also.
"It was one of the most fun [times] that I have ever had and I can't wait to go to Ireland. I'm dying to go to Ireland."
During the interview, his Novocaine co-star Jacob Batalon also told JOE that he spent two weeks in Dublin and had a "beautiful time".
He added, however: "This might be sacrilege, I actually didn't have Guinness, so I feel like I might have messed up there."
When JOE said that they will both have to come back over, Ray Nicholson said: "I'm a sucker for Irish… Every time before, I'm like: 'Oh my god, Ireland. The lyrical language.'"
During the conversation, we also asked Ray Nicholson about his recent embracing of villain roles between Smile 2, Novocaine and the upcoming thriller film Borderline.
When we asked if it's fun to play such unhinged characters, he replied: "100%. I mean, when I read something, I don't make a judgment call on whether someone's good or bad. I always look at their motivations.
So, I would always argue... if you were making a movie about that character, they would be the hero, you know?
"I think everything's about perspective and just trying to play [it] honestly and not play a quality, I think is fun."
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