"It’s a moving story told with sensitivity and beautifully acted by the two leads."
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
"Gripping, unflinching and tender without being heavy-handed, maudlin or dull."
— Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
"The relationship between Lucas and Andrew feels effectively raw, largely thanks to the performances from Blyth and Tovey."
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire
"Plainclothes cements itself as one of Sundance 2025’s most compelling and insightful entries—an urgent, important film for an equally important time in our society."
— David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel
"The film captures the internal battle of a man desperate for freedom yet bound by duty, shame, and fear. Lucas’ journey is one of self-discovery, but also repression, guilt, and longing."
— Alex Valencia, Q+ Magazine
"A visceral leading performance by Tom Blyth and an impeccable cinematographic vision are at the forefront of why Plainclothes excels in emotional impact and conveying a hopeful queer resilience."
— Lady Jenevia
"Plainclothes is an unforgettable thriller that, through its gripping performances, bold stylistic choices, and unflinching honesty, captures the suffocating fear of being watched, judged, and ultimately exposed."
— Matthew Koss, The Wandering Screen
"Mixing romance, family drama and a coming out story, writer-director Carmen Emmi uses extreme closeups, kaleidoscopic editing and various film and video formats to add a tactile kick to an already pungent narrative."
— Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall