James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' Opens NYFF with Strong Reception and Oscar Hopes

Key points

• The film opened the 64th New York Film Festival on September 25 at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
• Director James Gray described the production as a 'labor of love' and noted the difficulty of making personal American indies today.
• Neon is conducting its first full Oscar campaign for Gray, pushing Teller for Best Actor and Driver and Johansson for supporting roles.
• The film, set in 1986 Queens, follows brothers Irwin and Gary Pearl as they get entangled with the Russian mob.
• Scarlett Johansson attended the premiere despite being jet-lagged from filming 'The Batman: Part 2' in London.
• The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on November 13, 2026.

Background

James Gray has a long history with the New York Film Festival, having previously closed it with 'The Lost City of Z' and marked its anniversary with 'Armageddon Time.' 'Paper Tiger' had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, where it was widely acclaimed but overlooked by the jury, a pattern that has frustrated Gray's Oscar prospects in the past. Neon acquired the film and is now mounting its first full awards push for the director, aiming to break his long-standing drought in the Best Picture and acting categories.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the film's status as a rare, difficult-to-make American indie, highlighting the emotional connection between the cast and director. Variety focused on the logistical challenges of the premiere, noting Scarlett Johansson's jet-lagged state and her absence from the Cannes premiere due to other filming commitments. Mashable provided a critical review, praising the ensemble's chemistry and Driver's performance but critiquing Johansson's attempt to shed her glamour for the role. USA Today highlighted the director's approach to 1980s nostalgia, noting his decision to avoid certain period clichés like excessive shoulder pads to prevent the film from feeling like a parody.

Why it matters

The strong reception at NYFF and the subsequent full Oscar campaign by Neon signal a potential breakthrough for James Gray, who has been a consistent critical darling but has never won an Academy Award. The film's success could also impact the careers of its leads, particularly Miles Teller, who is being pushed for Best Actor, and Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, who are being positioned for supporting roles.

What to watch

The film will have a limited release on November 13, 2026, followed by a wider rollout on November 20. The awards campaign will continue through the fall, with the film's performance at other festivals and its box office reception likely influencing its Oscar prospects.