‘Behemoth!’ Review: Pedro Pascal Hits All The Right Notes In Tony Gilroy’s Lyrical Love Letter To The Music Of The Movies – New York Film Festival

After a 14-year hiatus from directing feature films, Tony Gilroy returns with Behemoth!, a cinematic exploration that delves into the intimate world of a professional musician intertwined with Hollywood’s film music industry. Premiering at the New York Film Festival, this film offers a rare glimpse into the often-overlooked domain of movie soundtrack production, while anchoring its narrative in personal and familial complexities.

Pedro Pascal leads as Alex Serian, a lifelong cellist whose identity has been shaped by constant movement and the demands of a profession that is as much a burden as it is a calling. Alex’s story is marked by his lineage—his grandfather was a session musician who died during a film recording, his father a discontented composer for television, and his brother a one-time rock band figure. This musical heritage, while prestigious, casts a long shadow, influencing Alex’s nomadic lifestyle and emotional detachment.

The film situates Alex in Los Angeles after two decades of travel, where he navigates the film scoring sessions that provide his livelihood. Simultaneously, he confronts family dynamics, including the decline of his mother’s health and his brother’s eccentricities. A pivotal storyline emerges with Viviana Glenn, a 15-year-old prodigy and pop sensation, who becomes involved in the production of the eponymous film within Behemoth!. Her presence triggers questions about Alex’s past, particularly concerning a possible paternal connection.

Gilroy employs a non-linear narrative structure, interlacing present-day scenes of recording sessions with flashbacks depicting Alex’s romantic past and professional struggles. These temporal shifts enrich the portrayal of Alex’s internal conflicts and relationships, including encounters with characters played by Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and others, each illustrating different facets of his life and emotional journey.

The film’s auditory landscape is notably crafted by a collective of nine renowned composers, including Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, and Alan Silvestri, among others. This collaboration, referred to as The Behemoth! Collective, weaves a diverse and compelling score that stands out as one of the year’s most impressive. The original song created for Viviana’s character exemplifies the film’s musical ambition.

Sound design plays a critical role in Behemoth!, with performances recorded by over 300 Los Angeles musicians, highlighting the city’s rich yet often underappreciated musical talent pool. Gilroy’s depiction of Los Angeles is vibrant, countering narratives about the city’s decline as a production hub.

Pascal’s portrayal of Alex is nuanced and restrained, effectively conveying the character’s inner turmoil without resorting to overt dramatization. Supporting performances from Jo Beth Williams, Hank Azaria, Will Arnett, and others contribute depth and texture to the family and professional milieu that surrounds Alex.

Behemoth! ultimately transcends a simple character study to become a tribute to the musicians whose work underpins much of cinema’s emotional resonance. It shines a light on the creative and personal sacrifices inherent in a life devoted to music within the film industry, offering audiences both an auditory and narrative experience rich in complexity and humanity.

The film’s production team includes Gilroy alongside Sanne Wohlenberg and John Gilroy, the latter also responsible for the film’s intricate editing. Distributed by Searchlight, Behemoth! is scheduled for a December 4, 2026, release, promising to engage both music enthusiasts and cinephiles with its unique perspective on the intersection of life, family, and film music.