Plainclothes revisits the forgotten skill of cruising - Video Review

      EJ Moreno presents a video review of Plainclothes…

      Set in the 1990s, this thriller transports audiences to a forgotten chapter of gay history. Plainclothes explores cruising and the associated erotic dangers. In my comprehensive review, the film sparks discussions on the notorious instances of cruising gone awry and highlights its significance during this time. The film’s chaotic essence provides an intense, erotic, and unnervingly honest portrayal of longing.

      Tom Blyth delivers a captivating performance, and we, alongside Russell Tovey, are fully engaged. Check out the review below, and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more reviews, exclusive interviews, and additional video content…

      Taking place in 1990s Syracuse, this Sundance award-winning thriller from director Carmen Emmi showcases breakout performances from Tom Blyth (HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES) and Russell Tovey (LOOKING). The story follows a promising undercover officer (Blyth) tasked with luring and arresting gay men, yet he defies orders after developing feelings for one of his targets (Tovey).

      At his mother’s New Year’s Eve gathering, Lucas, a young police officer, misplaces a letter that was never meant for anyone else. As the stifling family party unfolds, the search for the letter unearths memories he'd prefer to forget: months prior, while working undercover in a mall restroom, Lucas seduced men to arrest them. However, his encounter with Andrew alters everything. What starts as yet another setup evolves into something far more charged and personal. As their secret bond grows and the police pressure to achieve arrests increases, Lucas grapples with his duty versus his desires. With time slipping away and his past catching up to him, PLAINCLOTHES builds towards a New Year’s Eve confrontation where all that he has buried threatens to surface.

      SEE ALSO: Check out our written review of Plainclothes here

      Plainclothes is scheduled for a limited release in the United States on September 19th, 2025.

      About EJ Moreno: EJ Moreno is a film and television critic and entertainment writer who became part of the pop culture site Flickering Myth in 2018 and currently acts as the executive producer of Flickering Myth TV, a YouTube channel with over 27,000 subscribers. With more than a decade of experience, he is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and is affiliated with the Critics Choice Association and GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.