Gays, we found it: the hottest movie scene of the year is here. And it’s not just the steamy hookups we love to see—it’s the palpable tension, raw emotion, and restrained chemistry that’ll have you holding your breath. Plainclothes, the stunning directorial debut from Carmen Emmi, has a moment that will stay with you long after the credits roll, and it’s not about what happens physically, but the unspoken connection between the characters.
RELATED: ‘Plainclothes’: Secrets and Betrayal in This ’90s Queer Love Story
Set in upstate New York in the ’90s, the film follows Lucas (Tom Blyth), a young, deeply closeted cop working in an undercover unit tasked with entrapping men cruising for sex. It’s a tragically ironic position for him, trying to suppress his own desires while enforcing laws that harm people like him. Then he meets Andrew (Russell Tovey), a man he’s assigned to catch. Despite their initial, charged interaction, Lucas lets Andrew go. Andrew, unaware of who Lucas is, slips him his number, setting off a slow-burning, heartbreaking connection between the two.
RELATED: The ‘Plainclothes’ Trailer Just Dropped—And It’s A Mind-Blowing Ride
The romance in Plainclothes is delicate yet intense, with the tension between the characters building until it culminates in a quiet, electric moment in a movie theater lobby. It’s not about what happens next, but the nearly imperceptible movement toward each other, the vulnerability shared in that brief, stolen moment. This scene is a masterclass in restraint—it’s not about the physicality, but the raw emotion that crackles between the two men. And it’s undeniably one of the hottest scenes in cinema this year.
In an interview with Queerty, Director Carmen Emmi shared how that moment came to life. Initially, the scene was supposed to be more hidden, more shadowed, but the location brought something unexpected: “I saw this amazing opportunity to frame them within the light,” he explained. The cinematography by Ethan Palmer used lighting to almost make them glow, a metaphor for their connection, hidden in plain sight. The moment was about creating the first real spark of connection between the men, something that was both deeply romantic and profoundly raw.
That scene wasn’t just pivotal for the characters—it also marked a turning point for Emmi. “It was the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” he confessed. “I realized, I’m a romantic at heart. And I want to run toward love, not away from it.” That personal revelation added an extra layer of authenticity to the film, making the romance feel genuine and universal.
Tovey and Blyth also brought their own chemistry to the scene. Tovey described how they connected over the film’s authentic portrayal of love, saying, “We spotted in each other a kinship in wanting to tell honest, truthful stories. The script just sings, so it was easy for us to connect.” The themes in Plainclothes—desire, passion, love, and heartbreak—transcend sexuality, making the film feel deeply human. “It’s a queer movie, but the themes in it are universal—love, unrequited love, desire, passion, pleasure—It’s humanity,” Tovey added.
Co-star Christian Cooke also reflected on the deeper layers of the film: “It’s a coming-of-age, coming-out story, but more than that—it’s about getting to a stage in life where you’re no longer willing to hide in the shadows or harbor a secret.”
Plainclothes isn’t just a love story; it’s about confronting shame, seeking connection, and embracing who you are. The ensemble cast, including Maria Dizzia, Amy Forsyth, Gabe Fazio, John Bedford Lloyd, Darius Fraser, and Alessandra Balazs, each brings depth to the story, making it not just a queer film, but a powerful exploration of self-acceptance and human connection.
The film’s success was further cemented at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast. Emmi, overcome with emotion, shared with ABC, “This is my dream. To get to premiere my first feature that I wrote and directed at this festival is the biggest honor of my life.” It’s clear that his dream has come to life in a beautiful, authentic way.
For those eager to experience this unforgettable film, Plainclothes opens in New York City on September 19, with select theaters nationwide following soon after. Don’t miss it—the romance, the tension, and that theater lobby scene? It will stay with you long after you leave the theater.
The one thing that’s never going to not give me pause is that this was directed by a female. And why are these all coming out one right after another?
It was a pain to try to plan to watch Twinless (which no one else I knew wanted to see) and then The History of Sound and now this that even though Twinless is still in two theaters in town, neither are close or convenient to me. I will probably only end up watching one of these in theaters this month and I doubt any will have a long play in cinemas.