Plainclothes is a 2025 romantic thriller drama film directed by Carmen Emmi and starring Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey, Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, Amy Forsyth, and John Bedford Lloyd. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, and was released in the United States on September 19, 2025.
In 1990s upstate New York, Lucas Brennan, a young plainclothes police officer, is assigned to an undercover sting operation targeting gay men in shopping malls. He pretends to take part in public cruising, using looks and gestures to make men believe he is seeking an encounter, then leads them into restrooms where they are arrested by other officers for indecent exposure. Although this work is treated as routine policing, it increasingly troubles Lucas, who is himself a closeted queer man. His personal life is further affected by the recent death of his father, Gus, and strained family relationships.
During one operation, Lucas becomes attracted to Andrew Waters, an older man he's meant to arrest but instead lets go. Using the name "Gus", Lucas later contacts Andrew, and the two begin a secret affair that culminates in an intense sexual encounter at a plant nursery. Lucas becomes emotionally attached, while AndrewâÂÂa married pastor with childrenâÂÂinsists their relationship remain brief and hidden.
The relationship ends when Andrew learns Lucas is a police officer and cuts off contact. Lucas then uses police records to locate Andrew and confronts him at his church, accidentally revealing the affair in front of Andrew's family and effectively outing him. The confrontation permanently ends the relationship and leaves Lucas increasingly isolated. He begins writing unsent letters to Andrew and withdraws from others, including his former fiancée Emily, who's aware of his queerness.
Months later at a New Year's party, Lucas realizes that his mother and uncle have discovered a letter Andrew wrote to "Gus", describing their relationship, and mistakenly believe it was addressed to Lucas' deceased father. After Lucas' uncle reacts with disgust to the belief that Gus was gay, an argument breaks out between him and Lucas, escalating into a physical altercation in which Lucas shoves his uncle out a window in front of all the guests. Lucas then reveals to his mother that the letter was meant for him, thereby coming out to her.
The film marks the feature length directorial debut for Carmen Emmi, who also scripted the film. It is produced by Arthur Landon, Colby Cote and Eric Podwall for Page 1 Entertainment and the London-based Lorton Entertainment.
Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth were confirmed in the lead roles in March 2024. That month, Amy Forsyth and Christian Cooke also joined the cast, as well as Maria Dizzia, John Bedford Lloyd and Gabe Fazio. The film's score is by Emily Wells.
Filming began in Syracuse, New York in March 2024. First-look images from the set were released that month.
Plainclothes premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition of the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025. In April 2025, Magnolia Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film. The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 19, 2025. In June 2025, Curzon Film acquired the distribution rights to the film in the United Kingdom, and released it in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2025.
The film won the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast at the Sundance Film Festival.