James Gray’s newest family-crime saga, Paper Tiger will make its North American debut on the opening night of the New York Film Festival. The film is scheduled for a series of 35mm screenings on Friday, September 25, at both Alice Tully Hall and the Walter Reade Theatre, with showtimes at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Distributor Neon has confirmed that every opening-night performance will be projected from a traditional celluloid print, a choice the director says restores “the magic of the silver screen.”
Why Gray Chose 35mm in a Digital Age
In a recent statement, Gray explained that while streaming platforms offer countless viewing options, nothing matches the tactile quality of a correctly projected 35mm print. He likened the experience to the resurgence of vinyl records, noting that the continuous signal of analog media carries a warmth and imperfection that digital formats—broken into binary zeros and ones—cannot replicate. Analog film, he argues, preserves an organic texture that reminds audiences of cinema’s original allure. The director also praised his crew—cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay, production designer Happy Massee, and the rest of the team—for earning the chance to see their work displayed in this “silky, indelible format.”
Plot, Cast, and Personal Roots
Paper Tiger follows former police officer Gary Pearl (Adam Driver) who enlists his brother Irwin (Miles Teller) in a lucrative but hazardous venture that entangles the duo with Russian mobsters operating out of the Gowanus docks. Meanwhile, the family matriarch Hester (Scarlett Johansson) hides a grave illness, a secret that strains already fraying family ties. The story, set in 1986 Queens, functions as a continuation of Gray’s long-standing fascination with autobiographical storytelling. Earlier works such as Little OdessaThe Yards and Armageddon Time blended personal memory with genre conventions; Paper Tiger pushes that blend further, turning private tragedy into a gritty melodrama.
From Festival Buzz to Awards Ambitions
After its Cannes premiere in May—where it earned high praise from critics—Paper Tiger will travel the festival circuit, including stops at Locarno, Mill Valley, the Hamptons, London, Newport Beach, Chicago, Virginia, and Savannah. Gray is slated to receive directing honors at Mill Valley, Virginia, and Savannah, and he will join the principal cast for a conversation moderated by Martin Scorsese at the NYFF. Neon, which acquired the film in April, is mounting an aggressive Oscar campaign. The strategy positions Miles Teller for Best Actor, Adam Driver for Best Supporting Actor, and Scarlett Johansson for Best Supporting Actress, while also submitting the film for nominations in categories such as Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Original Score, and even Best Cast.
Release Schedule and Audience Access
Neon plans to roll the film out in limited U.S. theaters beginning Friday, November 13, with a wider release scheduled for November 20. In addition to the theatrical run, a live Q&A with Gray will be held at the Virginia Film Festival on October 22, later broadcast as part of Neon’s “Screen Talk” podcast. The campaign’s breadth—spanning elite festivals, targeted screenings, and a robust awards push—reflects Neon’s confidence that a mid-budget, adult-oriented drama can still break through the noise of today’s blockbuster-driven market.
