Who doesn’t love a good crime drama? Especially when one is filled to the brim with nail-biting high stakes, family values, iconic actors, and the Russian mafia. Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Miles Teller star in the upcoming film “Paper Tiger,” which follows two brothers chasing the American Dream in 1980s New York.
“Paper Tiger” was originally announced in the Cannes Film Festival lineup in April 2026, and premiered at Cannes in May 2026, where it received rave reviews and [reportedly] a ten-minute standing ovation. On Monday, August 10, Neon released its first sneak peek of “Paper Tiger,” and showcased why the film already has an immense grip on audience anticipation.
Neon Drops ‘Paper Tiger’ Teaser Trailer
The first official teaser trailer for “Paper Tiger” has been released! The trailer, short but mighty, outlines the story of Irwin Pearl (Teller) as he strives to provide for his wife Hester (Johansson) and their children. Irwin’s brother, Gary (Driver), is an ambitious and confident man who pulls Irwin into a money-making scheme tied to the Russian mafia, ultimately putting Irwin’s family in danger.
The trailer beautifully captures the film’s tension, action-packed scenes, dramatic cinematography (by Joaquín Baca-Asay), and captivating psychology. In one minute, it highlights the dangers of blind loyalty, hidden agendas, and how quickly control can spiral into chaos. Snapshots of the incredible performances by Johansson, Driver, and Teller are also strongly featured in the trailer and give testament to how powerful and enthralling a teaser trailer can be.
Crime drama fans, however, don’t just have the trailer to fuel their excitement. They also have reviews from Cannes. One reviewer from The Wrap stated that “Paper Tiger” is “a taut exercise in suspense, with a couple of bravura sequences that stretch the tension to the breaking point as hubris and wishful thinking lead a family into dangers they didn’t know existed – but it’s also a warmhearted study of family members who can argue and be wildly at odds, but who almost always walk away from each other with the parting words, I love you.” Chief film critic from The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney, also stated that “Paper Tiger” was “a drama of almost overwhelming power.”
What We Know About ‘Paper Tiger’
GettyOther than the main plot, we also know that “Paper Tiger” is directed by James Gray, known for “Little Odessa” (1994), “Ad Astra” (2019), and “The Lost City of Z” (2016). “Paper Tiger” is rooted in Gray’s childhood, and some journalists, like at The Hollywood Reporter, are comparing “Paper Tiger” as a “companion piece to Gray’s 2022 film, “Armageddon Time.” Gray co-produced with Andrea Bucko, Gary Farkas, Marco Perego, Carlo Salem, Andrea Leone, Leonardo Maria del Vecchio, Rodrigo Teixeira, Raffaella Leone, and Anthony Katagas. The film is also written by Gray. Along with the three stars, the cast includes Roman Engel and Gavin Goudey.
“Paper Tiger” is set to premiere in theaters on November 13, with a running time of one hour and fifty-five minutes, so get ready. This film is one to mark on your calendars.
