Gilroy's Return to Feature Directing with 'Behemoth!'
New York, NY – Filmmaker Tony Gilroy, known for his work on the Bourne series and Andor, returned to feature directing after a 14-year hiatus with his latest film, Behemoth!, which held its world premiere at the New York Film Festival (NYFF). The film, starring Pedro Pascal, has quickly generated early awards buzz, particularly for Pascal's central performance.
Behemoth! is described by critics as a multifaceted drama, blending elements of a classical musician's journey, a midlife crisis narrative, and a romantic mystery. Despite its grand title, IndieWire noted the film's surprisingly intimate and character-driven nature. Pedro Pascal leads the cast as a virtuoso cellist, a former child prodigy grappling with the complexities of his life. Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett, and Alexa Swinton also feature in the film.
Pascal Praises Gilroy's Intimate Approach
Pascal expressed surprise at Gilroy's approach to the film, remarking during a post-screening Q&A at NYFF that he found Behemoth! to be “so intimate and healing,” admitting, “I thought you were gonna be mean,” according to Deadline. This suggests a departure from some of Gilroy's more overtly suspenseful past works, such as 2012's The Bourne Legacy and his earlier film, Duplicity.
The film has been characterized by some outlets as an “elevated bauble of a music drama” (Variety) and a “lyrical love letter to the music of the movies” (Deadline). Critics have highlighted Pascal's performance, with some praising his ability to hit “all the right notes” (Deadline) and hinting at “soulful depths” (The Hollywood Reporter). Awardsradar.com suggested Pascal delivers a “grand solo” in the film.
Critical Reception and Awards Buzz
While many outlets lauded Pascal's compelling portrayal of the wayward cellist, critical reception for Behemoth! has been somewhat divided. IndieWire called it a “movingly atonal character study about how people conduct themselves,” while The Guardian Film found it to “hit all the wrong notes,” describing it as a “forgettable film marred by stylistic gimmicks.” The Hollywood Reporter, for its part, observed that “the drama keeps stalling in Tony Gilroy’s wan character study.”
Pedro Pascal, reflecting on the filmmaking process for Tony Gilroy's Behemoth!, stated he experienced “hell and heaven” making the new drama, according to Gold Derby.
Despite mixed reviews on the film's overall execution, Pascal's performance has firmly placed him in early conversations for Oscar contention, particularly concerning the Music Branch of the Academy, as noted by IndieWire. The film is also slated to screen at the 2026 SCAD Savannah Film Festival, alongside titles such as The Debut and Wild Horse Nine.
