Director James Gray recently used the North American premiere of his new crime thriller, Paper Tiger, to outline a filmmaking philosophy that prioritizes subtext over overt political messaging. Speaking at the 64th New York Film Festival, where the film served as the Opening Night selection on September 25, 2026, Gray reportedly pushed back against the idea of didactic cinema, remarking that he does not “want to preach” to his audience because “art is not Sunday school.”
Set in 1986 across Queens and Brooklyn, Paper Tiger stars Adam Driver as a former NYPD officer and Miles Teller as his brother, an engineer. The siblings find themselves entangled with the Russian mafia in a story that involves a scheme related to the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. Scarlett Johansson also stars in a leading role, reuniting with Driver following their work together in 2019’s Marriage Story.
Gray described the use of subtext as a “lost art” that allows for modern storytelling to thrive within a more classical narrative structure. He suggested that great cinema often “sneaks in” its messages, drawing inspiration from historical eras where creative constraints forced filmmakers to be more inventive with their themes. For Gray, this approach creates a more immersive experience than contemporary films that may feel overly instructive.
The film marks Gray’s latest exploration of New York’s criminal underworld, a setting he previously navigated in works such as Little Odessa and We Own the Night. Despite the specific period setting and the political undercurrents of the 1980s, the director emphasized that the film’s primary focus remains on the personal and familial stakes of its characters.
Neon has confirmed the U.S. distribution schedule for the thriller following its festival run. Paper Tiger is slated for a limited theatrical release on November 13, 2026, before expanding nationwide on November 20.
