Plainclothes (2025) is an upcoming American romantic thriller drama directed and written by Carmen Emmi. Lucas (Tom Blyth) is an undercover cop in Syracuse, New York, in the 1990s. Lucas’s job is to trap gay men, but things take an unexpected turn when he falls in love with one of his targets, Andrew (Russell Tovey).
The movie debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where its cast and emotional depth garnered positive reviews. The movie distinguishes itself from numerous contemporary thrillers by setting it in a real location that holds significant importance in the director’s life.
Where was Plainclothes filmed?
The filming of Plainclothes took place entirely in Syracuse, New York, the hometown of director Carmen Emmi. By filming in a real city, the production was able to fully capture the feel of the late 1990s. Familiar streets, cultural landmarks, and historic venues helped set the mood and tone for the movie.
Syracuse, New York, USA
Syracuse is more than just a backdrop in the movie; it plays a big part. Emmi chose the city on purpose because it fits with both the story’s timeline and his own personal history. The city’s atmosphere helped make a believable picture of the ’90s and gave the story real emotional depth.
- Landmark Theatre: This historic building in downtown Syracuse is a big part of many scenes. The Landmark Theatre, famous for its beautiful architecture and cultural history, made a dramatic setting that fit the movie’s emotional intensity.
- The Galleries Shopping Mall: This mall was another important location. It was a real place where undercover operations could happen. The way it was built and laid out made it a natural place for tense moments to happen.
- Art galleries and interiors in downtown Syracuse were also used, which added to the film’s mood and fit with the themes of secrecy, repression and identity.
Fun facts about Syracuse
Syracuse has been the site of filming for a number of well-known films and TV shows. For instance, the city served as the filming location for parts of The Binge (2020) and Adult World (2013).
Plainclothes Behind The Scenes
Director Carmen Emmi wrote Plainclothes based on his own life, which made it a personal journey for him. In March 2024, he filmed the movie in just 18 days, using his hometown of Syracuse as a living backdrop that felt real and close to home.
Emmi talked about how hard it was to write his first feature script. He said, “It was hard because I’d never written anything before.” It took me a few years to learn how to write a full-length movie script. He got ideas for the non-linear structure from watching classic films like Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation. This method was similar to how he felt when he came out, when memories felt like pieces of a broken mirror.
Music played a big role on set too. Emmi explained, “Music is how I stay emotionally grounded. I played it on set to help actors drop into character.” The score by Emily Wells added emotional depth, and Emmi even got advice from composer Lorne Balfe during post-production. He aimed to end the film on a hopeful note, avoiding the usual tragic twists in similar stories. As he put it, “I want to leave the audience with a feeling of hope. That’s the ultimate goal for me.”
The cast brought their energy to the project. Tom Blyth, who plays Lucas, prepared deeply for the role of the undercover officer, drawing on the character’s internal conflicts. Russell Tovey, as Andrew, connected personally—Emmi credits Tovey’s past work in Looking for influencing his path.
Emmi felt grateful for how it all came together, noting, “I feel incredibly lucky that everything I wanted to say is on the screen. That kind of experience is rare.” Debuting at Sundance was a dream come true for him; he recalled, “I’ve wanted to be here ever since I saw Little Miss Sunshine with [my family] at the mall, so this is really my dream come true.” For Emmi, Plainclothes isn’t just a movie—it’s a symbol of hope for anyone hiding a part of themselves.
Plainclothes Official Trailer
Keep an eye out for the film’s limited theatrical release on September 19, 2025, and let us know in the comments which Syracuse spot you’re most excited to see on screen!
FAQs
Q1: What is Plainclothes (2025) about?
Plainclothes follows Lucas, an undercover police officer in 1990s Syracuse, who is tasked with entrapping gay men but unexpectedly falls in love with one of his targets.
Q2: Where was Plainclothes filmed?
The entire film was shot in Syracuse, New York, with key locations including the Landmark Theatre, The Galleries shopping mall, and various downtown interiors.
Q3: Who directed Plainclothes?
The film is directed and written by Carmen Emmi, who chose to shoot the story in his hometown of Syracuse to add authenticity and personal depth.
Q4: When was Plainclothes filmed?
Principal photography began in March 2024 in Syracuse and was completed in just 18 days.
Q5: When will Plainclothes be released?
Plainclothes is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on September 19, 2025, following its Sundance premiere earlier that year.
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