Tom Blyth plays a closeted cop in 'Plainclothes.' The movie couldn't be timelier. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYOctober 4, 2025 at 7:30 AM 0 NEW YORK − When Russell Tovey came to Hollywood, he got two pieces of advice.
- - Tom Blyth plays a closeted cop in 'Plainclothes.' The movie couldn't be timelier.
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYOctober 4, 2025 at 7:30 AM
0
NEW YORK − When Russell Tovey came to Hollywood, he got two pieces of advice.
"Get your ears pinned back and don't come out," recalls the former child actor, who has been openly gay for most of his adult career. "I defied both of those demands and here I am talking to USA TODAY. Who's laughing now?!"
Tovey, 43, has proudly told an abundance of queer stories in TV's "Looking," "Feud" and "American Horror Story." The latest is "Plainclothes" (in theaters now), a woozy new thriller set in 1990s New York, following a steely undercover cop named Lucas (Tom Blyth), who is assigned to lure and arrest gay men cruising for hookups in public spaces. But he starts to question everything when he falls in love with one of his targets, Andrew (Tovey), who also lives a double life.
Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox
"Plainclothes" stars Tom Blyth, left, and Russell Tovey pose for a portrait in New York.
Blyth, 30, says he was actively looking for something "intimate and gritty" after starring as a young Coriolanus Snow in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes." He immediately "flipped for the script" by writer and director Carmen Emmi, who draws from his own personal story as he tackles topical issues of anxiety and policing.
"Carmen leads with strength through vulnerability, and you can see that in the film," Blyth says. It's true of the movie's much-discussed sex scene, which manages to be both explicit yet deeply tender as Lucas and Andrew unleash their pent-up desire in the back of a van.
"I find that scene so beautifully done and so not gratuitous that I don't really mind talking about it," Blyth says. "The major thing that's holding Lucas back in his life is that he can't be honest with himself, so the sex feels vital and urgent. It's two people realizing that they're falling for each other, but also that they may never get this chance again."
Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey say school was 'an exercise in toxic masculinity'
Lucas (Tom Blyth, left) is angry and repressed as he tries to keep his relationship with Andrew (Russell Tovey) hidden
From a young age, boys are taught that a punch is better than a hug. It's an idea that Emmi encountered in his research and resonated strongly with the film's stars, both of whom were born and raised in the U.K.
"High school was just an exercise in toxic masculinity," Blyth says. "I remember being so fearful to go into the P.E. changing rooms, because there were certain guys who wanted to fight and constantly exert their dominance. I remember thinking, 'You've got to fit in or go under the radar. You've got to survive.'
"And then I think back, and I'm like, 'God, most of the guys in there probably felt the same,' " he adds. "It would be so much easier to go through school if only everyone was taught to talk about their feelings."
"I was taking the material home with me in quite a heavy way," says Tom Blyth, left, who plays a closeted gay man opposite Russell Tovey.
Tovey recalls how "exhausting" and "stressful" it was to be in the closet before he came out at 18.
"We as queer people inherently carry a lot of shame, especially my generation and older," Tovey says. "When I was younger, I desperately wanted not to be gay and tried to hide it from so many people." He viscerally remembers causing trouble and playing dumb so he wouldn't be teased at school.
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1jx4iec class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
">The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
" src=https://ift.tt/1jx4iec class=caas-img>George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wMT35WZ class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
">George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
" src=https://ift.tt/wMT35WZ class=caas-img>Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2mMEVbf class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
">Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
" src=https://ift.tt/2mMEVbf class=caas-img>George Clooney and Amal Clooney
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Wd6UstQ class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney and Amal Clooney
">George Clooney and Amal Clooney
" src=https://ift.tt/Wd6UstQ class=caas-img>George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BTGw8qW class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
">George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" src=https://ift.tt/BTGw8qW class=caas-img>Laura Dern
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Pk7O1EI class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Laura Dern
">Laura Dern
" src=https://ift.tt/Pk7O1EI class=caas-img>Riley Keough
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KhTEQLP class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Riley Keough
">Riley Keough
" src=https://ift.tt/KhTEQLP class=caas-img>May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1zQV7qF class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
">May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
" src=https://ift.tt/1zQV7qF class=caas-img>Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RclBmST class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
">Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" src=https://ift.tt/RclBmST class=caas-img>Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RvJCMYa class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
">Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/RvJCMYa class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1QwG4pE class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
">Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
" src=https://ift.tt/1QwG4pE class=caas-img>Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rJ3xoVQ class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
">Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
" src=https://ift.tt/rJ3xoVQ class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4ShLzjX class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
">Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
" src=https://ift.tt/4ShLzjX class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
" data-src=https://ift.tt/71lj4z8 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
">Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
" src=https://ift.tt/71lj4z8 class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6XUntvH class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White
">Jeremy Allen White
" src=https://ift.tt/6XUntvH class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
" data-src=https://ift.tt/U35LsjM class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
">Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
" src=https://ift.tt/U35LsjM class=caas-img>Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7F9iyIG class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
">Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
" src=https://ift.tt/7F9iyIG class=caas-img>Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hkuo2v6 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
">Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
" src=https://ift.tt/hkuo2v6 class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen
" data-src=https://ift.tt/g9aILMp class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen
">Bruce Springsteen
" src=https://ift.tt/g9aILMp class=caas-img>Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sPjkL1D class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
">Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
" src=https://ift.tt/sPjkL1D class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NOYGnul class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
">Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
" src=https://ift.tt/NOYGnul class=caas-img>Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/94vdmw8 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
">Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
" src=https://ift.tt/94vdmw8 class=caas-img>Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yOLW3Z0 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
">Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
" src=https://ift.tt/yOLW3Z0 class=caas-img>Greta Lee
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SFEVRCN class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Greta Lee
">Greta Lee
" src=https://ift.tt/SFEVRCN class=caas-img>Angel Reese
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fhkMsgn class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Angel Reese
">Angel Reese
" src=https://ift.tt/fhkMsgn class=caas-img>Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Gd4QOUf class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
">Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/Gd4QOUf class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JPpXwus class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
">Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
" src=https://ift.tt/JPpXwus class=caas-img>"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6iUvrMR class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
">"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
" src=https://ift.tt/6iUvrMR class=caas-img>Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
" data-src=https://ift.tt/POnhLya class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
">Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
" src=https://ift.tt/POnhLya class=caas-img>Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SLpv1mi class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
">Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" src=https://ift.tt/SLpv1mi class=caas-img>Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aTC1RG6 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
">Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" src=https://ift.tt/aTC1RG6 class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3CdtbKx class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
">Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/3CdtbKx class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vcoZS9m class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
">Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/vcoZS9m class=caas-img>From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wzdl67c class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
">From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
" src=https://ift.tt/wzdl67c class=caas-img>Ronan Day-Lewis
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bWuflCF class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ronan Day-Lewis
">Ronan Day-Lewis
" src=https://ift.tt/bWuflCF class=caas-img>Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iKJbCXo class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
">Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/iKJbCXo class=caas-img>Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0ves96r class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
">Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" src=https://ift.tt/0ves96r class=caas-img>Ayo Edebiri
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YAITc3j class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ayo Edebiri
">Ayo Edebiri
" src=https://ift.tt/YAITc3j class=caas-img>From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lGM7Cuz class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
">From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
" src=https://ift.tt/lGM7Cuz class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Udapum4 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
" src=https://ift.tt/Udapum4 class=caas-img>From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TnztJ9M class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
">From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
" src=https://ift.tt/TnztJ9M class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0gloJKD class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
" src=https://ift.tt/0gloJKD class=caas-img>Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PJjWID1 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
">Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/PJjWID1 class=caas-img>Emma Roberts
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VfxvZYb class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Emma Roberts
">Emma Roberts
" src=https://ift.tt/VfxvZYb class=caas-img>Ariyan Kassam
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RPrY1xy class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ariyan Kassam
">Ariyan Kassam
" src=https://ift.tt/RPrY1xy class=caas-img>Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MdlEjfx class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
">Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/MdlEjfx class=caas-img>Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uI2EvoJ class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
">Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
" src=https://ift.tt/uI2EvoJ class=caas-img>Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LXBMNG2 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
">Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
" src=https://ift.tt/LXBMNG2 class=caas-img>Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xgR7LHT class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
">Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
" src=https://ift.tt/xgR7LHT class=caas-img>
1 / 49See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
"If you were intelligent or showed interest in anything other than soccer, then you were gay and you'd be a target," Tovey says. He recalls one particular experience in a religious education class, "when the teacher said, 'One or two people in this class will statistically be gay.' Every single person in the class looked at me and they all started laughing. I was like, 'What the heck?'
"After that, I went, 'I really need to be hypervigilant now and not make too much of a scene.' It's horrible."
'Plainclothes' is scarily relevant for members of the queer community
In conversation, both actors speak passionately and often about theater. Tovey raves about James Corden's "brilliant" Broadway revival of "Art," while Blyth marvels at his close friend Rachel Zegler, who recently starred in "Evita" in London. ("It felt like watching a once-in-a-generation performance," he smiles.)
As preteens, they each found refuge on stage and in drama class, which "was probably the first space I was in that promoted gentle, vulnerable masculinity," Blyth says.
Russell Tovey, right, says there was "an instant trust and safety net" working with Tom Blyth.
"That's what you'd hope school would facilitate and they're taking that away from education," Tovey adds. "You need that outlet to be like, 'OK, I can channel all these feelings.' "
They're moved by the responses they've gotten so far to "Plainclothes," which has become even more timely given New York's recent crackdown on a queer hookup spot in Midtown Manhattan, with more than 200 arrests for public lewdness since June.
"Carmen recently saw a comment (online) from a guy who said, 'I'm a retired Chicago PD officer and this is what happened to me,' " Blyth says. "Knowing that people have lived Lucas' story is just insane to hear, but the fact that people feel seen by it as well is an amazing thing."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey say 'Plainclothes' sex is 'so not gratuitous'
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: ERIUS MAG
Full Article on Source: ERIUS MAG
#LALifestyle #USCelebrities