‘Paper Tiger’ Review: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller Deliver Big Time in James Gray’s Operatically Intense Crime Drama
James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' is a powerful crime drama and domestic tragedy that draws on the director's personal history, echoing themes from his earlier works. Set in 1986 Brooklyn, the film follows a family grappling with ambition, betrayal, and the crumbling American Dream. Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller deliver intense performances in this operatic, emotionally charged story.
- ▪'Paper Tiger' is a companion piece to James Gray's 2022 film 'Armageddon Time,' drawing from his childhood experiences.
- ▪The film stars Adam Driver as Uncle Gary, a former cop with shady connections, and Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller as the director's parents, Hester and Irwin.
- ▪Originally intended to reunite Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong, scheduling conflicts led Gray to recast and shift toward a more heightened, melodramatic tone.
- ▪Set near the polluted Gowanus Canal in 1986, the film uses its gritty environment to mirror the moral decay and tension within the family.
- ▪The story centers on two brothers, Scott and Ben, who idolize their charismatic uncle while navigating family conflict and personal ambition.
4 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 17 hours. Coverage spans 2 points on the political spectrum — 2 lean left, 1 centre.
- ▪ ‘Paper Tiger’: What The Critics Are Saying About James Gray’s Cannes Film With Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson & Miles Teller — Deadline
- ▪ ‘Paper Tiger’ Review: Miles Teller and Adam Driver Get Ensnared by the Russian Mob in a James Gray Film With More Atmosphere Than Plausibility — Variety
- ▪ Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Miles Teller Deliver a Tender Thriller in Paper Tiger — TIME — Top
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| Original publisher | The Hollywood Reporter |
| Canonical URL | https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/paper-tiger-review-scarlett-johansson-james-gray-1236596242/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 16 May 2026 21:40:00 +0000 |
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| Last seen | 2026-05-16T22:10:19.058Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
From left: Miles Teller, Adam Driver, Roman Engel, Gavin Goudey and Scarlett Johansson in 'Paper Tiger.' Cannes Film Festival Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment “Let there be wealth without tears; enough for the wise man who will ask no further.” It’s fitting that the Aeschylus quote on the opening of James Gray’s riveting Paper Tiger evokes Greek tragedy. In this piercing account of the American Dream in tatters, the magnitude of that dimension feels appropriate, echoing the currents of betrayal, fear and death that course through the film like rivulets of blood.
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