Simmering family trauma, buried resentment and the lasting consequences of violence drive the most intriguing and atmospheric crime dramas. ‘Paper Tiger’ is one such film that turns those themes into a slow-burning story filled with brooding suspense and emotional tension. Rather than relying on constant action, the feature finds drama in silence, suspicion and wounds that refuse to heal.

Silver Lion award-winning filmmaker, James Gray (‘Ad Astra,’ ‘We Own the Night’) wrote and directed ‘Paper Tiger.’ His latest movie stars Adam Driver and Miles Teller. The period drama also reunites Driver with his ‘Marriage Story’ co-star, Scarlett Johansson.

Set in 1986 Queens and Brooklyn, ‘Paper Tiger’ follows engineer Irwin (Teller) after his brother, Gary (Driver), a former cop, draws him into a shady deal. Gary thinks he can make a killing on a scheme with Russian criminals dumping oil down by the Gowanus Canal, assisting them to work around regulations.

Instead, Gary ends up endangering his brother, as well as Irwin’s sons (Gavin Goudey and Roman Engel) and wife Hester (Johansson), who is going through her own private crisis. Torn between brotherly love and marital loyalty, Irwin discovers he’s ensnared in forces far beyond his control.

‘Paper Tiger’ had its North American Premiere in the Main Slate section at Film at Lincoln Center’s 64th New York Film Festival (NYFF). The drama served as NYFF’s Opening Night selection last night, Friday, September 25, 2026 at Alice Tully Hall. The movie’s next NYFF screening will be held next Friday, October 2 at 1:15pm ET at the Walter Reade Theater.

To help promote ‘Paper Tiger’s North American Premiere at NYFF, Gray, Driver and Teller participated in a press conference yesterday afternoon. The chat was held at the Walter Reade Theater following the drama’s press and industry screening.

NYFF programmer Rachel Rosen hosted the film’s press conference. Among other things, the filmmaker and actors discussed the inspiration behind the feature, their approach to acting and recreating a 1980s New York City.

Watch the ‘Paper Tiger’ NYFF press conference in the above video.