Hull Independent Cinema presents
Plainclothes (15)
Director: Carmen Emmi | 2025 | 15 | Drama, Romance, Thriller, LGBTQ+
This brooding psychological drama stars Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth who meet under complicated circumstances. An undercover cop, tasked with arresting men cruising public bathrooms, is suddenly faced with hidden desires. Using lo-fi VHS footage to explore voyeuristic notions of surveillance, this story of forbidden love addresses pertinent themes of state surveillance and societal intolerance.
Sundance Film Festival: Winner, Ensemble Award; Nominee, Grand Jury Prize - Dramatic
The Queerties: Nominee, 2 awards inc Best Film Performance - Russell Tovey
GLAAD Media Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Film - Limited Release
Dorian Film Awards: Nominee, Unsung LGBTQ Film of the Year
FilmOut San Diego: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Supporting Actor
Out on Film Awards: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Screenplay
Chlotrudis Awards: Nominee, Best Performance in a Lead Role
Director: Carmen Emmi | 2025 | 15 | Drama, Romance, Thriller, LGBTQ+
This brooding psychological drama stars Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth who meet under complicated circumstances. An undercover cop, tasked with arresting men cruising public bathrooms, is suddenly faced with hidden desires. Using lo-fi VHS footage to explore voyeuristic notions of surveillance, this story of forbidden love addresses pertinent themes of state surveillance and societal intolerance.
Sundance Film Festival: Winner, Ensemble Award; Nominee, Grand Jury Prize - Dramatic
The Queerties: Nominee, 2 awards inc Best Film Performance - Russell Tovey
GLAAD Media Awards: Nominee, Outstanding Film - Limited Release
Dorian Film Awards: Nominee, Unsung LGBTQ Film of the Year
FilmOut San Diego: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Supporting Actor
Out on Film Awards: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Screenplay
Chlotrudis Awards: Nominee, Best Performance in a Lead Role
Event Details
Running Time: 1 hour 35 mins
Age Rating: 15 (BBFC)
Content Guidance: Strong sex, strong language
Language: English
Carmen Emmi compellingly mines thriller tropes to capture the fraught experience of suppressed sexuality, but it's Lucas and Andrew’s heart-rending, beautifully performed love story that endures. ★★★★ Beth Webb, Empire Magazine
Tovey gives a smartly understated performance, Andrew’s calmness simultaneously bringing a stability lacking in Lucas’s life while suggesting an enigmatic, unknowable edge to his character. Alex Davidson, Sight & Sound
Blythe’s performance is an interior one, where what Lucas does is not as important as how he feels inside. Capturing that is a special gift and Blyth delivers. Ronda Racha Penrice, TheWrap
It’s a moving story told with sensitivity and beautifully acted by the two leads. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter