(L-R) Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in “Plainclothes”
A standout from the recent festival circuit, the thriller-drama Plainclothes is generating significant buzz ahead of its limited theatrical release on September 19.
Directed by debut filmmaker Carmen Emmi, the film is a deeply personal and unsettling look at queer identity, duty, and desire in 1990s Syracuse, New York.
Inspired by real-life events and Emmi’s own experiences, the film stars Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) as Lucas, a young, closeted, and ambitious undercover police officer. His assignment: to entrap and arrest gay men who are “cruising” in public places. However, the mission takes a dramatic and dangerous turn when he encounters Andrew, played by Russell Tovey (Looking). A charged and intimate connection develops between the two, forcing Lucas to confront his own repressed sexuality and the morally compromising nature of his job.
Plainclothes made its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast. Critics have praised the film for its raw emotional power and the compelling chemistry between Blyth and Tovey. Reviewers have highlighted Blyth’s performance as particularly impressive, noting his ability to convey Lucas’s internal conflict and burgeoning anxiety through subtle expressions and body language.
The film’s use of grainy, VHS-style footage further immerses the audience in Lucas’s frayed mental state, creating a pervasive atmosphere of paranoia and unease. According to Emmi, the film is not just a coming-out story, but a broader exploration of infatuation, heartbreak, and the profound isolation that comes from being forced to hide one’s true self.
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures, Plainclothes also features a strong supporting cast including Amy Forsyth, Christian Cooke, and Maria Dizzia. It has been hailed as a timely and important film, serving as a powerful reminder of a recent history where such persecution was common, and resonating with modern-day conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
To find specific showtimes and locations near you once it’s released, you will need to check with major ticketing websites like Fandango, AMC Theatres, and local cinema websites closer to the release date.
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