Lucas (played by Tom Blyth) is an undercover police officer tasked with luring and arresting gay men cruising in shopping malls. His assignment becomes increasingly difficult as he discovers a connection with a married man (played by Russell Tovey), who happens to be one of his targets. Through Lucas’ connection and his assignment, the pressure of his late-grandfather’s station, and his homophobic department, Carmen Emmi’s Plainclothes explores the pull desire and emotion has on us, despite our want to hide it in his spectacular feature film debut.

Set in ‘90s New York, the film uses VHS-style editing techniques to frame Lucas’ memories, while using mirrors to show his mind as his anxiety and doubt grow with each passing moment. Plainclothes keeps the viewers on their toes, pushing a sense of urgency felt by the character onto the audience as the rights and visibility of queer people are questioned once again.