James Gray’s Paper Tiger is a frustrating crime thriller because its strengths are constantly at war with its shortcomings. On a technical level, the film is exceptionally well-crafted, filled with suffocating tension, strong performances, and several genuinely gripping set pieces that showcase Gray’s talent as a filmmaker. Adam Driver and Miles Teller anchor the story with compelling performances as two brothers whose lives unravel after a disastrous encounter with the Russian mafia, while the film’s atmosphere of dread becomes increasingly effective as the stakes escalate. Yet beneath its polished surface lies a familiar crime narrative built from well-worn genre conventions, offering little that feels fresh or distinctive. Despite its craftsmanship and entertainment value, Paper Tiger ultimately struggles to establish its own identity, leaving the impression of a film with tremendous potential that never quite evolves beyond being a collection of ideas and moments executed better elsewhere.
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My Rating: B-
Paper Tiger is coming soon to theaters.
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