Tony Gilroy, the mastermind behind the Bourne franchise and the creator of the acclaimed Andor, has long expressed a desire to return to original storytelling. With Behemoth!, he does just that, delivering a cinematic beast that's as ambitious as its title suggests. This marks Gilroy's first directorial effort since The Bourne Legacy in 2012, and he's brought along a familiar face from a galaxy far, far away: Pedro Pascal.
Pascal stars as Alex Serian, a former cello prodigy who traded a prestigious orchestra career in Chicago for the unpredictable world of film scoring in Los Angeles. But this wasn't a simple career change; Alex is driven by a tangled web of family secrets and personal mysteries. The film follows his quest to uncover the truth, all while navigating the chaotic demands of composing for various cinematic projects.
To reveal too much of the plot would be a disservice, as Behemoth! is a film best experienced with fresh eyes. Gilroy trusts his audience to piece together the narrative, which unfolds in a refreshingly non-linear fashion, reminiscent of Alejandro G. Iñárritu's 21 Grams. Flashbacks to Alex's past are woven seamlessly into the present, with subtle visual cues indicating shifts in time rather than heavy-handed title cards.
One of the film's most ingenious devices is having Alex literally compose the music that scores key moments of his own life. This allows Gilroy to play with genre, as Alex works on everything from a Bourne-style action thriller to a sweeping romance. These sequences are the film's most electrifying, leaving you wishing there were more of them. While the quieter moments are solid, they lack the same visceral punch.
The film's secret weapon is its extraordinary musical ensemble: nine composers, collectively known as "The Behemoth! Collective." This all-star lineup includes industry giants like Alan Silvestri, Michael Giacchino, and Henry Jackman. While nine composers might seem like overkill, in a movie that's essentially a love letter to film scoring, it's a brilliant choice that enriches Alex's world with a diverse sonic palette.
Pascal delivers a career-best performance, reminding us of his immense talent beyond the blockbuster franchises. He convincingly portrays a cellist, selling the physicality of the instrument even to the untrained eye. His performance is largely visual, conveying a wealth of emotion through subtle expressions and gestures, letting the audience feel his journey before the story reveals its secrets.
Where Behemoth! hits a few off-key notes is in its supporting cast. While some characters are wonderful companions on Alex's journey, others, like Olivia Wilde and Will Arnett's roles, feel underutilized. They occupy significant screen time and are pleasant to watch, but the film seems to build toward something meaningful with them, only to end with a gag that feels anticlimactic.
Despite these minor stumbles, Behemoth! is a beautiful and entertaining tribute to the art of film music. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates the profound impact of scores on cinema. But it's more than just a tribute; it's a damn good movie in its own right, with a compelling central character, a bold narrative structure, and a refusal to talk down to its audience. It's a near-perfect addition to Gilroy's filmography.
Behemoth! screened at the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival and will premiere in theaters on December 4, 2026. For more on Pedro Pascal's recent work, check out our trailer coverage. And if you're in the mood for more musical dramas, you might enjoy Elle Fanning's acclaimed indie.
