NYFF64 Centerpiece: 'Behemoth!'
Tony Gilroy's 'Behemoth!' Starring Pedro Pascal Set for World Premiere as NYFF64 Centerpiece
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Key Points
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Behemoth! will world premiere as NYFF64's Centerpiece at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, October 2, 2026, with Tony Gilroy, Pedro Pascal, and other cast members in attendance.
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The score features a nine-musician soundtrack—described as a 'panoply of original movie compositions'—highlighting music-driven storytelling.
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US release is set for December 4, 2026, to be distributed by Searchlight Pictures.
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NYFF coverage includes praise from Dennis Lim, who calls the film 'immaculately crafted' and notes Pascal delivers 'one of the performances of the year.'
Tony Gilroy's musical drama Behemoth! will world premiere as the Centerpiece of the 64th New York Film Festival on October 2, 2026, at Alice Tully Hall, Variety reports. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Alex, a former child prodigy cellist who leaves a Chicago orchestra for Los Angeles to record film scores and settle unfinished family business.
Searchlight Pictures will release Behemoth! in theaters on December 4, 2026. The NYFF runs September 25 through October 12, with Gilroy and Pascal both expected in attendance at the October 2 screening, according to Head Topics.
Pascal Plays a Cellist Chasing Music and Family Ghosts
Pedro Pascal plays Alex, a one-time child prodigy who traded classical music for Hollywood film scoring. The story digs into unfinished family business he left behind in Chicago. Brit.co notes the film blends a personal emotional arc with a strong musical identity.
Olivia Wilde plays a manic ex who figures into Alex's backstory. The ensemble cast also includes Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria, and Will Arnett, per Variety.
Nine-Musician Score Drives the Film's Emotional Core
Music is not just backdrop here — it is the engine of the story. The film features a nine-musician soundtrack described as a 'panoply of original movie compositions,' according to OperaWire. That sound design plays a central role in how Alex's inner life is told on screen.
NYFF artistic director Dennis Lim called the film 'immaculately crafted' and said Pascal delivers 'one of the performances of the year,' per Variety. That level of early praise from the festival's own leadership signals strong awards-season momentum heading into December.
Tony Gilroy Returns to the Director's Chair After Andor
Tony Gilroy is best known for writing Michael Clayton and the Bourne films, and most recently for creating Andor on Disney+. Behemoth! marks a significant return to theatrical filmmaking for him. Showbiz411 notes the film was chosen from a competitive pool for the festival's top centerpiece slot.
The centerpiece slot is one of NYFF's most prestigious spots. Past centerpiece films have often gone on to major awards runs. With a December 4 release date, Searchlight Pictures appears to be positioning Behemoth! squarely in the awards conversation.
NYFF64 Runs Through October With a Star-Packed Lineup
The 64th New York Film Festival opens September 25 and runs through October 12, 2026. It is presented by Film at Lincoln Center, according to Head Topics. The centerpiece screening on October 2 will be among the festival's highest-profile events of the run.
Gilroy, Pascal, and other cast members are all expected to appear at Alice Tully Hall for the premiere. After the festival, the film moves toward its December 4 wide release, giving Searchlight a holiday window to build awards buzz and box office momentum.
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