In 90s New York, a young police officer must entrap and arrest gay men whose only “crime” is their sexuality, but when he falls for one of his targets the rookie risks losing his career and family in pursuit of love.
Plainclothes 2025
Inspired by true events, Plainclothes is set in upstate New York in 1997 and follows Lucas (Tom Blyth), an undercover cop tasked with luring and apprehending gay men in public bathrooms. Professionally and personally, Lucas is expected to adhere to a conventional masculinity that society has prescribed him, but the security and privilege that comes with this persona is threatened when he forms a romantic attachment to one of his targets.
Writer-director Carmen Emmi transports the audience back to a previous era by using a nostalgic 4:3 aspect ratio, while the grainy camcorder cinematography is intimate and contributes to the emotional depth of the story. As Lucas struggles with the demands of his toxic work environment, he finds solace in Andrew (Russell Tovey), a similarly closeted man with his own secrets and doubts.
Plainclothes examines ways gender role expectations can affect self-worth, and will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the need to hide an inherent part of their identity. A heartfelt, brutal and necessary watch. — Madison Marshall