Director Tony Gilroy has officially returned to feature-film directing with the world premiere of his classical music drama Behemoth! at the 64th New York Film Festival. Serving as the festival’s Centerpiece selection at Alice Tully Hall, the Searchlight Pictures release marks Gilroy’s first time behind the camera for a feature film since 2012’s The Bourne Legacy.
Written, directed, and produced by Gilroy alongside Sanne Wohlenberg and John Gilroy, the two-hour and seven-minute drama stars Pedro Pascal as Alex Serian. Pascal portrays an inscrutable, avoidant cello maestro who leaves his orchestral post in Chicago and returns home to Los Angeles. Back in Southern California, Alex must navigate demanding commercial film session work, complicated family dynamics, and lingering romantic entanglements.
The narrative utilizes a non-linear flashback structure to explore Alex’s history as a former child prodigy raised within a multi-generational musical family. His lineage includes a grandfather who worked as a studio session player, a dissatisfied cartoon composer father, a harpist mother dealing with declining health, and a brother tied to a 1990s rock band. Alongside these family ties, Alex confronts past relationships, including a volatile ex-partner and a tragic former romance.
The supporting ensemble cast features notable performances from Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett, Alexa Swinton, Hank Azaria, Kaya Ralls, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Erik Griffin, and Thomas Kretschmann.
The Collaborative Musical Score and Production
Music serves as both an atmospheric backdrop and an in-world story element throughout the film. The original score was crafted by The Behemoth! Collective, an assemblage of nine prominent Hollywood composers that includes James Newton Howard, Alan Silvestri, Michael Giacchino, Henry Jackman, Michael Abels, Emily Bear, Lukas Frank, Nami Melumad, and Brandon Roberts.
Filming benefited from the cinematography of Damián García, capturing the intricate details, technical jargon, and high-pressure environment of Los Angeles studio recording stages.
Festival Reception and Theatrical Release
Early reviews from festival screenings yielded varied critical perspectives. Publications like Variety and IndieWire praised the film’s authenticity regarding studio session culture and Pascal’s anchoring performance. Conversely, other critics noted that the non-linear timeline shifts occasionally complicated the narrative pacing.
NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim lauded the project upon its announcement, stating that Pascal delivers a tour de force performance holding together an immaculately crafted ensemble piece.
Searchlight Pictures has scheduled Behemoth! for a theatrical release in the United States and the United Kingdom on December 4, following its high-profile festival run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Behemoth! about?
Behemoth! follows Alex Serian, a classical cellist and former child prodigy played by Pedro Pascal, who returns to Los Angeles to handle studio session work, family obligations, and memories of past relationships.
Who directed Behemoth!?
The film was written and directed by Tony Gilroy, marking his first feature directorial project since 2012’s The Bourne Legacy.
Who composed the music for the film?
The original score was created by The Behemoth! Collective, a group of nine composers that includes James Newton Howard, Alan Silvestri, Michael Giacchino, and Henry Jackman.
Who stars alongside Pedro Pascal in the movie?
The supporting cast features Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett, Alexa Swinton, Hank Azaria, Kaya Ralls, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, and Thomas Kretschmann.
When is Behemoth! releasing in theaters?
Searchlight Pictures is scheduled to release the film in US and UK theaters on December 4.
