New York, 1986. Two brothers, former police officer Gary (Adam Driver) and engineer Irwin (Miles Teller), are chasing their American dream. When they spot an opportunity to make a quick fortune, they become entangled in the ruthless world of the Russian mafia. What begins as a promising venture turns into a dangerous game in which their loyalty and family ties are put to the test.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Queens, New York, in the 1980s, an intimate and gripping drama unfolds about brotherly love, loyalty and the dark side of the American Dream. With his characteristic eye for detail and psychological depth, Gray transforms the familiar elements of the gangster film into a tragic portrait of torn family ties and dreams that slowly turn into nightmares.

Following his foray into science fiction with Ad Astra and the autobiographical coming-of-age drama Armageddon Time, James Gray returns to the crime genre that first brought him to prominence. With Paper Tiger, partly inspired by his own childhood and family history, he delivers a classic crime thriller with the allure of a Greek tragedy. With Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson, Gray has an impressive cast at his disposal. Paper Tiger once again confirms his talent for telling grand, almost mythical stories rooted in the most human of conflicts.