Pedro Pascal Anchors Tony Gilroy’s Polarizing Musical Drama 'Behemoth!'

Key points

• The film stars Pedro Pascal as Alex Serian, a cellist returning to Los Angeles after 20 years of touring.
• The score was composed by a collective of nine prominent film composers, including Michael Giacchino and Alan Silvestri.
• The narrative uses a non-linear structure, jumping between present-day session work and past relationships.
• The film is distributed by Searchlight Pictures with a wide release date of December 4, 2026.
• Critics are divided, with some praising the musical craftsmanship and others criticizing the disjointed pacing.

Background

Tony Gilroy had not directed a feature film since 'The Bourne Legacy' in 2012, spending the intervening years as a showrunner for 'Andor'. Our earlier coverage noted that Gilroy described Pascal’s character as a 'passenger' rather than passive, a dynamic inspired by Marcello Mastroianni. Pascal reportedly learned cello under strict time constraints for the role. The film’s premiere at the 2026 New York Film Festival marked a significant return for Gilroy to the big screen.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney praised the film’s musical sequences and Pascal’s subtle performance but criticized the script for insufficient character dimension and a fussy time structure that halts momentum. In contrast, Deadline’s Pete Hammond lauded the film as a 'lyrical love letter' to movie music, calling the score the best of the year and praising Pascal’s convincing portrayal. The Guardian’s review was more critical, describing the film as 'fatally undone' by its disorienting structure and calling Pascal’s character insubstantial. While all outlets agree on the strong musical craftsmanship, they disagree on whether the non-linear narrative enhances or detracts from the emotional impact.

Why it matters

The film represents a significant return for Tony Gilroy, a respected screenwriter and director, after a long absence from feature filmmaking. It also highlights the growing trend of ensemble scores in major studio productions, featuring nine high-profile composers. The mixed critical reception underscores the challenges of non-linear storytelling in character-driven dramas and the importance of strong central performances in sustaining audience engagement.

What to watch

The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on December 4, 2026, distributed by Searchlight Pictures. It will be available in the US and UK on that date, with an earlier release in Australia on December 3. The film’s performance at the box office and its reception by general audiences will be key indicators of its success, given the mixed critical reviews.