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Tony Gilroy's 'Behemoth!' Premieres at New York Film Festival
Confirmed
In Short: Tony Gilroy's drama 'Behemoth!' starring Pedro Pascal premiered as the Centerpiece of the New York Film Festival's 64th edition.
Tony Gilroy's drama 'Behemoth!' premiered as the Centerpiece of the New York Film Festival's 64th edition on October 2, marking his return to directing after a 14-year hiatus since 'The Bourne Legacy' in 2012. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Alex Serian, a concert cellist turned film scorer, who returns to Los Angeles after two decades away, grappling with family issues and a mysterious encounter with a young prodigy, Viviana Glenn (Alexa Swinton).
The film delves into the world of Hollywood music soundstages, offering a glimpse into the crucial final aspect of film production. It focuses on Alex Serian's personal and professional life, highlighting the toll his career has taken on him and his relationships. Pascal's performance as a tortured creative soul is praised, though the narrative is criticized for succumbing to clichés and fragmentation.
Screen Daily noted that Pascal's portrayal of a virtuoso cellist is believable and authentic, with Pascal learning to play the cello for the role. The film's depiction of the film scoring industry is detailed and engaging, with Variety highlighting the authenticity of the classical music world portrayed in the film.
The New York Film Festival premiere is followed by a planned release in the US and UK on December 5, with the Newport Beach Film Festival closing night slot on December 4. Festival CEO Gregg Schwenk framed the pick as a way to celebrate 27 years of Newport, emphasizing the regional audience and press corps coverage.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the film prompts reflection on the role of music in films, it does not fully commit to being a celebration of film music. The film's narrative is described as fragmented, with Pascal and Olivia Wilde (in a small role) being the biggest draws for the audience.
In addition to Pascal, the film features a cast including Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and Will Arnett. The film's world premiere at the New York Film Festival sets the stage for further festival screenings and a release in the US and UK on December 5.
Background
Behemoth! is a 2026 American drama film written and directed by Tony Gilroy. It stars Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and Will Arnett.
What's confirmed
- Tony Gilroy's drama 'Behemoth!' premiered as the Centerpiece of the New York Film Festival's 64th edition on October 2, marking his return to directing after a 14-year hiatus since 'The Bourne Legacy' in 2012. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Alex Serian, a concert cellist turned film scorer, who returns to Los Angeles after two decades away, grappling with family issues and a mysterious encounter with a young prodigy, Viviana Glenn (Alexa Swinton).
- The film delves into the world of Hollywood music soundstages, offering a glimpse into the crucial final aspect of film production. It focuses on Alex Serian's personal and professional life, highlighting the toll his career has taken on him and his relationships. Pascal's performance as a tortured creative soul is praised, though the narrative is criticized for succumbing to clichés and fragmentation.
- Screen Daily noted that Pascal's portrayal of a virtuoso cellist is believable and authentic, with Pascal learning to play the cello for the role. The film's depiction of the film scoring industry is detailed and engaging, with Variety highlighting the authenticity of the classical music world portrayed in the film.
- The New York Film Festival premiere is followed by a planned release in the US and UK on December 5, with the Newport Beach Film Festival closing night slot on December 4. Festival CEO Gregg Schwenk framed the pick as a way to celebrate 27 years of Newport, emphasizing the regional audience and press corps coverage.
- The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the film prompts reflection on the role of music in films, it does not fully commit to being a celebration of film music. The film's narrative is described as fragmented, with Pascal and Olivia Wilde (in a small role) being the biggest draws for the audience.
- In addition to Pascal, the film features a cast including Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, and Will Arnett. The film's world premiere at the New York Film Festival sets the stage for further festival screenings and a release in the US and UK on December 5.
What's still developing
- Now after 20 years he is returning to Los Angeles, getting day work on a number of movie-scoring sessions but also dealing with family issues including the failing health of his mother, his brother’s quirkiness, and perhaps the biggest lingering question he has still in his life via an encounter with a 15- year-old prodigy, Viviana Glenn (Alexa Swinton), who not only has a huge following on the pop circuit (think Billie Eilish) but who also has now been called in to replace the composer on the movie Behemoth! (a code name for the secret film the are working on).
- But its central focus is on the family and romantic ties of one musician, Alex Serian ( Pedro Pascal ), who was born to be in an orchestra — in fact he couldn’t escape it — and that has taken its toll on this man for whom music is the one and only steady beat in his life, if not his heart.
- Putting the craft talk first tells you he expects the room to still be arguing about the film when the lights come up.
- Behemoth! had its world premiere on Oct. 2 as the Centerpiece of the New York Film Festival’s 64th edition, a berth FanBolt flagged back in July when the NYFF Centerpiece slot was announced, so the first wave of reviews is already written and the Newport Beach Film Festival closing night inherits whatever temperature those set.
- The Dec. 4 date is where the Newport Beach Film Festival closing night placement stops looking like a lap of honor and starts looking like arithmetic.
- 22, with Tony Gilroy and Jade Healy on hand before the Dec.
- The festival lands a Searchlight awards title with its writer and director standing in the room on Oct.
- What the slot actually buys is a regional audience the festival puts at more than 50,000 people a year, a press corps that covers Orange County rather than the trades, and a drive-time crowd from a county stuffed with Academy and guild members.
- Nine established composers (together called The Behemoth!
- As Alex attempts to settle back into LA life, reconnecting with his older brother and caring for his ailing mother, Behemoth!
- Audiences may also be intrigued by the return to the big screen of Michael Clayton writer/director Tony Gilory, who last directed The Bourne Legacy in 2012 and created TV hit Andor.
- Pascal may fete some awards attention, but otherwise emphasis is likely to be on the music – undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength.