Neon plans to release James Gray’s Paper Tiger nationwide on November 20, positioning the star drama to kick off awards season. The film will be released in select theaters on November 13th prior to its nationwide release.
Gray’s first film since 2022’s Armageddon Time, Paper Tiger stars Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller and Adam Driver. Set in 1986, the story follows two brothers, Irwin (Teller) and Gary Pearl (Drive). Irwin becomes involved with the Russian mob after embarking on a get-rich-quick scheme to clean up the Gowanus Canal. The only person who can save him from his predicament is his younger brother Gary, a former police officer.
Neon premiered Paper Tiger at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation. Cannes star Gray said at the Croisette screening: “It’s not my first time here. It’s actually my sixth. I can tell you there’s a lot more gray hair now, not just in my name, but in my beard. And I’ve finally come to appreciate it… It’s always so moving to see you all in this theater where I have so many wonderful memories, and I love you all.”
Paper Tiger was one of the most anticipated films at the Cannes Film Festival, but Variety’s Owen Gleiberman gave it a mixed review.
“‘Paper Tiger’ is well received on paper, so I suspect that Mr. Gray, a longtime critic favorite, will get the best reviews for this film,” he wrote. “This movie is made to be seen as “powerful”. But at this point, I think he’s an ace director still undermined by holes in the script. ”
