James Gray’s ‘Paper Tiger’ Trailer Reveals Oscar-Worthy Crime Drama Starring Adam Driver
James Gray has established a reputation for exploring the American Dream through themes of ambition, class, and family loyalty, creating some of the most emotionally nuanced crime dramas in recent years. His latest film continues this tradition, featuring a star-studded cast that is already generating significant buzz for the upcoming awards season.
This excitement has been building since the film premiered earlier this year, where it received considerable acclaim on the festival circuit, prompting Neon to swiftly acquire distribution rights. With a wider theatrical release on the horizon, audiences are now getting their most comprehensive look at what ‘Paper Tiger’ has to offer.
Neon has unveiled the official trailer for ‘Paper Tiger,’ James Gray’s newest crime drama starring Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson. Set in 1986 Queens, the film follows brothers Gary, an ex-cop portrayed by Driver, and Irwin, an engineer played by Teller, as they become embroiled in a scheme that draws them into the perilous world of the Russian mafia.
This plan threatens to unravel everything the brothers have worked for, straining family ties and endangering their entire household. Johansson plays Irwin’s wife, Linda, a character who grapples with her own challenges as the repercussions of her family’s involvement with organized crime begin to close in on them.
“An utterly gripping thriller.” Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson star in PAPER TIGER, written and directed by James Gray. Opens only in theaters November. pic.twitter.com/umJzQI03Iq
— NEON (@neonrated) September 22, 2026
‘Paper Tiger’ continues Gray’s long-standing interest in characters pursuing financial stability, only to confront the darker realities of that quest. The film delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths individuals will go to get ahead, motifs that have been prevalent throughout Gray’s body of work.
The supporting cast features Gavin Goudey and Roman Engel as the Pearl family’s sons, with Cindy Katz, Yves Garvy, and Dimiter D. Marinov rounding out the ensemble. Gray wrote, directed, and produced the film alongside producers Rodrigo Teixeira and Anthony Katagas, with cinematographer Joaquín Baca-Asay capturing the visuals.
‘Paper Tiger’ premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, reportedly receiving a ten-minute standing ovation after its screening. Neon acquired the film just before the festival, adding it as a late entry to the 2026 Competition lineup after recognizing its potential for awards season.
Deadline’s Pete Hammond, who reviewed the film after its Cannes showing, commended Gray’s skillful handling of the material. He described the film as “superbly crafted by Gray, who knows how to twist a crime-genre tale into something fresh and pulse-pounding,” adding that the casting of Driver, Johansson, and Teller elevates the film, according to his review for Deadline.
Given its strong reception at Cannes, ‘Paper Tiger’ is reportedly being positioned for a robust awards campaign from Neon, with Driver likely to contend for Best Supporting Actor, Johansson for Best Supporting Actress, and Teller for Best Actor. This coordinated strategy indicates the studio’s confidence in the film’s reception as it heads into the fall.
The film is also set to open the 64th New York Film Festival ahead of its broader theatrical release, providing another high-profile opportunity to build momentum before reaching general audiences. This festival placement further solidifies ‘Paper Tiger’ as one of the season’s most prestigious awards contenders.
‘Paper Tiger’ is scheduled for a limited theatrical release starting November 13, with a nationwide expansion on November 20. With its Cannes standing ovation, positive critical reception, and a well-organized awards season campaign already underway, the film appears poised to be one of the most discussed releases this fall.
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