Oh honey, grab your popcorn and maybe a fan, because Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth are about to turn up the temperature in the upcoming gay drama Plainclothes, and the first trailer has us absolutely swooning.
Set in the gritty streets of 1990s New York City, the film follows Lucas, played by Blyth, a working-class undercover cop tasked with entrapping gay men, only to find himself falling hard for his target Andrew, played by Tovey, in a twist that’s equal parts forbidden romance and emotional rollercoaster.
Directed and written by Carmen Emmi in her feature-length debut, the film doesn’t shy away from tension, chemistry, and a healthy splash of danger, with critics already buzzing about its “smoldering” energy and heartbreak you can practically feel through the screen.
In the first trailer, Lucas enters a men’s bathroom in full plainclothes mode, ready to seduce and bust, but finds himself caught off guard by an undeniable spark with Andrew that just won’t quit.
The teaser treats us to a few flashes of a raunchy sex scene (don’t pretend you’re not curious) and plenty of moments where Lucas’s paranoia about being outed threatens to unravel everything.
It’s not just critics who are impressed — audiences at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival gave it glowing reviews, with special praise for Blyth’s portrayal of a man constantly on edge and Tovey’s raw, unfiltered performance that’s already being called one of his best.
Speaking of raw and unfiltered, if this sizzling on-screen chemistry reminds you of other must-watch queer projects, you’ll definitely want to check out Heartstopper’s Kit Connor Leads Dreamy Cast in ‘Warfare’ for more cinematic eye candy and heartfelt storytelling.
But back to Plainclothes — it’s not your typical coming-out narrative, and that’s what makes it so compelling.
Yes, there’s romance and heartbreak, but it’s also a nuanced look at identity, survival, and the kind of magnetic pull that can turn your whole world upside down in a single glance.
Supporting cast members include Amy Forsyth, Christian Cooke, Maria Dizzia, John Bedford Lloyd, Gabe Fazio, and Sam Asa Brownstein, all adding rich layers to this already intense story.
And let’s be real, with a release date set for September 19 in the U.S., this is about to be one of the most talked-about queer films of the year — expect plenty of think pieces, Twitter threads, and maybe a few breathless group chats.
For those who love their cinema served with both grit and glamour, this is the kind of movie night you’ll be talking about long after the credits roll, much like Daniel Craig Wins Best Actor, Bailey’s Wicked Becomes Instant Gay Classic had us all gasping last awards season.
Mark your calendars, babes — Plainclothes is ready to break your heart, steal your breath, and maybe just become your next cinematic obsession.