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Paper Tiger (2026 film)

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Paper Tiger
Directed byJames Gray
Written byJames Gray
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJoaquín Baca-Asay
Edited byScott Morris
Music byChristopher Spelman
Production
companies
  • RT Features
  • Keep Your Head Productions[1]
  • Vice Pictures
  • Leone Film Group
Distributed byNeon
Release dates
  • May 16, 2026 (2026-05-16) (Cannes)
  • November 13, 2026 (2026-11-13) (United States)
Running time
115 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Brazil
  • Italy
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million

Paper Tiger is a 2026 crime drama film written and directed by James Gray. Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller,[2] it follows a suburban family who are entangled in the Russian mob.

The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.[3] It is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on November 13, 2026, before expanded wide release on November 20.

Plot

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Cast

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  • Adam Driver as Gary Pearl, a former police officer, Irwin's older brother, and Scott and Ben's uncle[1]
  • Scarlett Johansson as Hester Pearl, Irwin's wife and Scott and Ben's mother
  • Miles Teller as Irwin Pearl, an engineer, Gary's younger brother, Hester's husband, and Scott and Ben's father
  • Gavin Goudey as Scott Pearl, Irwin and Hester's college-bound eighteen-year-old son
  • Roman Engel as Ben Pearl, Irwin and Hester's younger son
  • Victor Ptak as Simeon Bogoyavich, a fearsome Russian mob boss whom Gary and Irwin run afoul of

Production

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Development

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In November 2024, it was reported that James Gray had set the project, titled Paper Tiger, as his next film, with a cast led by Adam Driver, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong. Raffaella Leone was to produce for Leone Film Group alongside Rodrigo Teixeira for RT Features.[2] By May 2025, Hathaway and Strong had dropped out of the film due to other commitments, being replaced by Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, respectively.[4] The film was backed by Vixens, a Paris-based production banner.[5] In May 2026, Gray confirmed the film had a $15 million budget.[6]

Filming

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Principal photography began in early June 2025 in Denville Township, New Jersey.[7] It was previously scheduled to begin in New Jersey in April 2025.[8]

American cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay shot the film on 35mm,[9] marking his third collaboration with Gray, following We Own the Night (2007) and Two Lovers (2008).

Release

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In April 2026, SND acquired French distribution rights.[10] Later that month, Neon acquired North American rights.[11]

The film had its world premiere in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation.[12] It is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on November 13, 2026, before expanded wide release on November 20.[13]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of 49 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10.[14]

Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "PAPER TIGER". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (November 1, 2024). "Adam Driver, Jeremy Strong & Anne Hathaway Set For James Gray Crime-Thriller 'Paper Tiger'; The Veterans & CAA Media Finance Launch Hot Project For AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 79th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. May 7, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin; Wiseman, Andreas (May 9, 2025). "Scarlett Johansson And Miles Teller To Star Opposite Adam Driver In James Gray's Next Film 'Paper Tiger'; Filming To Begin Next Month & Sales To Continue At Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (May 13, 2026). "Vixens, Backer of 'Paper Tiger' and 'Full Phil', Launches Ambitious Slate With Films From Kim Chapiron, Nima Nourizadeh, Jessy Moussallem, Eva Vik and Yann Demange (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  6. ^ "James Gray raconte sa méthode de travail (Paper Tiger, La nuit nous appartient, Ad Astra...)". www.brut.media (in French). Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  7. ^ @BackgridUS (June 3, 2025). "Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Miles Teller were spotted filming a new movie, Paper Tiger, in Denville, New Jersey. Johansson was seen with a fun, curly hairstyle on set. The cast filmed all day and left separately. The crime drama thriller follows two brothers who pursue the American Dream—only to become entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  8. ^ Dutta, Shubahbrata (February 27, 2025). "Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway's 'Paper Tiger' Begins Filming in New Jersey in April". The CinemaHolic. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  9. ^ Hazlewood, Kirsty (May 13, 2026). "Seven features shot on Kodak film compete for the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2026". Cinematography World. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  10. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (April 9, 2026). "James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' Secures French Distribution With SND". Variety. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  11. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (April 22, 2026). "James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' With Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller to Compete at Cannes as Neon Buys Film for North America". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  12. ^ Tapp, Anthony D'Alessandro,Tom (May 16, 2026). "James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' Roars With 10 Minute Standing Ovation In Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Dunn, Jack (June 25, 2026). "James Gray's Cannes Title 'Paper Tiger,' Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, Gets November Release Date From Neon". Variety. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  14. ^ "Paper Tiger". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  15. ^ "Paper Tiger". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
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