Plainclothes
A promising undercover agent assigned to lure and arrest gay men defies professional orders when he falls in love with a target. (R, 95 min.)
Showtimes
Friday, October 10, 2025
(TBD)
Syracuse, 1997. Promising undercover police officer Lucas (Tom Blyth) is dealing with a breakup and the recent loss of his father. When he receives an assignment to lure and arrest gay men in a mall bathroom, he is surprised to discover a scintillating connection with Andrew (Russell Tovey), one of his targets. As their secret connection deepens and internal pressure to deliver arrests intensifies, Lucas finds himself torn between duty and desire. At his mother’s New Year’s Eve party, Lucas loses a letter no one was ever meant to read. With time running out and his secret life closing in around him, the evening builds towards an explosive reckoning where everything he’s buried threatens to erupt. [Magnolia Pictures]
Starring: Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey, Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, Amy Forsyth,, John Bedfrod Lloyd, Darius Fraser, Alessandra Balazs
Director: Carmen Emmi
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
"It’s a moving story told with sensitivity and beautifully acted by the two leads."
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
"Gripping, unflinching and tender without being heavy-handed, maudlin or dull."
— Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
"The relationship between Lucas and Andrew feels effectively raw, largely thanks to the performances from Blyth and Tovey."
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire
"Plainclothes cements itself as one of Sundance 2025’s most compelling and insightful entries—an urgent, important film for an equally important time in our society."
— David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel
"The film captures the internal battle of a man desperate for freedom yet bound by duty, shame, and fear. Lucas’ journey is one of self-discovery, but also repression, guilt, and longing."
— Alex Valencia, Q+ Magazine
"A visceral leading performance by Tom Blyth and an impeccable cinematographic vision are at the forefront of why Plainclothes excels in emotional impact and conveying a hopeful queer resilience."
— Lady Jenevia
"Plainclothes is an unforgettable thriller that, through its gripping performances, bold stylistic choices, and unflinching honesty, captures the suffocating fear of being watched, judged, and ultimately exposed."
— Matthew Koss, The Wandering Screen
"Mixing romance, family drama and a coming out story, writer-director Carmen Emmi uses extreme closeups, kaleidoscopic editing and various film and video formats to add a tactile kick to an already pungent narrative."
— Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
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