Paper Tiger

Paper Tiger

Set in 1986 Queens, New York, Paper Tiger follows Irwin Pearl (Miles Teller), an engineer and family man hoping to secure a better future for his wife Hester (Scarlett Johansson) and their two sons. When his brother Gary (Adam Driver), a former NYPD officer, presents him with what appears to be a lucrative business opportunity, Irwin is tempted by the promise of financial security. But the scheme involves Russian criminals and an illegal oil-dumping operation, and what initially seems like a chance to get ahead quickly takes a dangerous turn.

As the brothers become entangled with the Russian mafia, their choices threaten to destroy everything Irwin has worked to build. Caught between loyalty to his brother and his responsibilities to his wife and children, Irwin finds himself facing consequences far beyond his control. What begins as a pursuit of the American Dream becomes a tense examination of ambition, desperation, and the fragile bonds holding a family together.

Written and directed by James Gray (We Own the Night, Armageddon Time), Paper Tiger marks a return to the New York crime dramas that helped establish the filmmaker’s career. Combining the atmosphere of a classic crime thriller with an intimate portrait of family life, Gray explores themes of loyalty, moral compromise, and the devastating consequences of chasing a better life. Featuring performances from Driver, Teller, and Johansson, the film offers a gripping look at the darker side of the American Dream.