Paper Tiger — A Gripping Crime Drama Starring Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson

Paper Tiger is an upcoming 2026 crime drama and thriller directed and written by James Gray. Set in Queens, New York, in 1986, the film follows two brothers whose pursuit of a promising business opportunity draws them into a dangerous world connected to the Russian mafia. What begins as an attempt to build a better life gradually threatens their family, their values, and their relationship with each other.

A Story About Brothers

At the center of Paper Tiger are brothers Gary and Irwin Pearl, played by Adam Driver and Miles Teller. Although they have different personalities and ambitions, they become involved in a scheme that appears to offer an opportunity for financial success.

Their decision, however, brings them into contact with dangerous criminal forces. As pressure increases, the brothers must deal with consequences that put their family and their bond at risk.

The story explores how ambition can lead people into situations they never expected—and how difficult it can be to escape once those choices have been made.

Scarlett Johansson as Hester Pearl

Scarlett Johansson stars as Hester Pearl, Irwin's wife. Her character becomes an important part of the family drama as the criminal situation begins to threaten the life Irwin has built for his wife and children.

The film also reunites Johansson with Adam Driver, following their acclaimed collaboration in Marriage Story. Their reunion adds another layer of interest for audiences familiar with their previous work.

James Gray Behind the Camera

James Gray serves as both writer and director of Paper Tiger. Known for character-driven films that explore family, crime, ambition, and moral conflict, Gray brings a serious dramatic approach to the story.

The film was selected for competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it attracted considerable attention for its performances and emotional intensity.

What the Official Trailer Shows

The official trailer introduces a family trying to pursue the American Dream in 1980s New York. The atmosphere gradually becomes darker as the brothers' business dealings connect them to the Russian mafia.

Rather than presenting the movie as a conventional gangster thriller, the trailer emphasizes family relationships and the growing pressure placed on the characters. The danger comes not only from the criminal world but also from the possibility that the brothers' decisions could destroy their relationship.

A 1980s New York Setting

The period setting is an important part of Paper Tiger. Queens in the 1980s provides the backdrop for a story about ambition, family, immigration, crime, and the pursuit of financial security.

The film uses this environment to create a world where ordinary family life exists alongside increasingly dangerous criminal activity.

Themes of Family and Morality

At its core, Paper Tiger is about more than crime. The film examines brotherhood, loyalty, ambition, family, and moral compromise.

The brothers' choices force them to consider how much they are willing to sacrifice for success and whether a seemingly attractive opportunity is worth putting their loved ones in danger.

The title itself suggests an interesting contrast: something that appears powerful or threatening may ultimately be more fragile than it seems.

An Impressive Cast

Alongside Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Rosslyn Luke and other performers. Driver plays Gary Pearl, while Teller portrays Irwin Pearl.

The performances are expected to be central to the movie because the story depends heavily on the emotional relationship between the brothers and the family surrounding them.

Release Date

Paper Tiger is scheduled for a November 13, 2026 theatrical release in the United States. The film has a reported runtime of approximately 115 minutes.

Why Paper Tiger Is Worth Watching

With James Gray directing, a period crime story at its center, and Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson leading the cast, Paper Tiger has many of the elements of a serious character-driven thriller.

The film's greatest strength may be its combination of crime and family drama. Instead of focusing only on the criminal world, it asks what happens when dangerous choices begin to destroy the people closest to you.

Overall, Paper Tiger promises to be a tense and emotionally driven crime drama about two brothers chasing opportunity in 1980s New York, only to discover that their choices may come at a devastating price.