Paper Tiger review: Adam Driver is terrific in a crime drama that grips but never quite soars

by

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

James Gray has successfully explored stories about Jewish families in New York and the world of Russian organized crime in his films. His latest movie attempts to blend these two themes, but the results are uneven.

Paper Tiger, the sixth film by Gray to compete at the Cannes Film Festival, stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller. Set in 1986 New York, the movie follows a tight-knit family as their lives begin to unravel when they take on some questionable new business associates.

This story primarily focuses on two brothers. Teller portrays Irwin, a gentle and slightly anxious husband married to Hester (played by Johansson). He’s the type of person you’d never imagine seeking out risk or adventure.

Ryan Gosling, giving one of his most captivating performances in recent years, plays Gary, the more outgoing and confident of the two brothers. Gary is a favorite uncle to his brother’s sons and has strong connections throughout New York City, likely thanks to his history with the police.

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The movie really gets going when Gary tells Irwin about a business deal that could make them both rich. It involves working as consultants for a Russian company cleaning up the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. Irwin is a little unsure at first, but Gary quickly convinces him with his charm and the possibility of making easy money. Soon, they’re on their way to the canal to meet some of the company’s contacts, who seem pretty shady.

It’s pretty clear things aren’t going to go smoothly, and this will likely cause a serious rift between the two brothers. That’s exactly what happens, and a surprisingly careless mistake by Irwin drags his entire family into the resulting conflict as well.

Director Ken Gray consistently demonstrates a strong visual style and attention to detail, so it’s fitting that Paper Tiger is a beautifully crafted film with a distinct atmosphere. He excels at creating memorable scenes, particularly a chilling home invasion that highlights the danger of the new characters introduced, and a climactic action sequence that fittingly references the film’s title.

Despite its strengths, the film feels hampered by some issues with its story and overall mood. At times, its portrayal of the failed American dream feels underdeveloped and predictable, and occasionally it veers into excessive drama, with Johansson delivering some overly theatrical performances. Essentially, the director seems to be striving for both grand spectacle and quiet intimacy, but the film doesn’t fully succeed in achieving either.

The movie doesn’t give Johansson’s character as strong a story as her male counterparts, and a health issue added to her storyline feels forced, despite its importance to the overall plot. The film shines when it builds suspense, and more scenes like the break-in – particularly how it affects the family – could have made the audience genuinely worried for their safety.

Teller and Driver are both excellent performers, with Driver particularly shining as we see both his strength and the moments when his confidence falters. Despite some minor issues, the film offers plenty to enjoy, and gives Gray’s dedicated fanbase a lot to cheer about.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed films of all kinds.

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2026-05-17 13:04