Pedro Pascal stars as a troubled cellist in Tony Gilroy's new drama Behemoth!

Alex Serian is a former child prodigy who takes session work recording movie scores after returning to Los Angeles; the jobs stir memories of his famous musical family and the women he left behind.
The film’s story also involves Alex’s ruthless father and ailing mother, as well as his growing interest in a young music prodigy.
Olivia Wilde plays Carol, Alex’s volcanic former flame, while Eva Victor plays violinist Nadia, whose brief relationship with Alex has a deep impact; Victor said she spent two months practicing a short performance of “Happy Birthday.”
The score is credited to the Behemoth! Collective, a group of nine composers that includes Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard and Alan Silvestri.
Pedro Pascal's new drama Behemoth! premiered as the centerpiece selection of the 2026 New York Film Festival, with businessupturn.com noting the actor turned heads with a sharp vintage look at the 64th NYFF. The film, written and directed by Tony Gilroy, arrives in theaters December 4 and stars Pascal as Alex Serian, a gifted cellist returning to Los Angeles after two decades away to confront complicated ties to music, family, and his past.
Pascal undertook an intensive cello crash course to prepare for the role, calling the challenge both exhilarating and the hardest creative work he had done. The actor's dedication paid off, with theblast.com reporting that early reviews have highlighted his performance as a standout. His commitment to the instrument went beyond simple acting — he needed genuine cello skills to be believable on screen.
Alex Serian is a former child prodigy who takes session work recording movie scores after returning to Los Angeles. The jobs stir memories of his famous musical family and the women he left behind during his two decades on the road. The ensemble includes Olivia Wilde as Carol, Alex's volatile former flame, while Eva Victor plays violinist Nadia, whose brief relationship with Alex has lasting impact. Victor spent two months practicing for her short performance of "Happy Birthday" in the film.
The story also explores Alex's complex relationships with his ruthless father and ailing mother, as well as his growing interest in a young music prodigy. These entanglements form the emotional core of the drama, pulling Alex between his past and future.
The film's score is credited to the Behemoth! Collective, a group of nine composers that includes heavyweights Michael Giacchino, James Newton Howard, and Alan Silvestri. This collaborative approach gave the soundtrack a unique texture, with multiple voices contributing to the musical landscape that mirrors Alex's journey. The score complements Pascal's on-screen cello work, blending his character's instrumental voice with the broader orchestral vision.
Beyond Pascal, Wilde, and Victor, the cast includes Will Arnett, Hank Azaria, and Kaya Ralls in roles that shape Alex's world. The ensemble chemistry brings depth to the interconnected relationships at the film's heart. Early reviews have praised not just Pascal's lead performance, but the collective work of the cast in making Behemoth! a compelling exploration of art, family, and second chances.
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