Paper Tiger, a Canal Development Deal Threatens Irwin’s Family

Paper Tiger is James Gray's crime drama about engineer Irwin Pearl, whose brother's business proposal entangles his family with the Russian mafia. Miles Teller plays Irwin alongside Adam Driver as Gar

James Gray’s *Paper Tiger* is a crime drama set in Queens, New York, in the 1980s. Engineer Irwin Pearl agrees to contribute his technical expertise to a canal development project proposed by his brother Gary. However, when it is revealed that the other party in the deal is connected to the Russian mob, Irwin’s wife Hester and their two sons are also placed in danger. In the United States, it will receive a limited release through NEON on November 13, 2026.

A Deal Chosen by Two Brothers

Irwin is a man who supports his family while hoping for a better life, while Gary, a former police officer, pushes forward with the business opportunity. The moment one brother’s technical expertise combines with the other’s connections and confidence, they take on both the potential for profit and the risks involved. The film’s conflict focuses on how a choice made to earn money shakes the brothers’ trust and the family’s safety.

A Featurette Spotlighting Irwin

This “Meet Irwin” featurette puts Irwin Pearl, played by Miles Teller, front and center. Adam Driver plays his brother Gary Pearl, while Scarlett Johansson appears as Irwin’s wife, Hester Pearl. The film was invited to compete at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, and within its 115-minute runtime, it follows how a business plan turns into a threat from the criminal underworld.