Behemoth!

“Most of Behemoth!’s female characters are Alex’s ex-girlfriends.”

Title: Behemoth! (2026)
Director: Tony Gilroy 👨🏼🇺🇸
Writer: Tony Gilroy 👨🏼🇺🇸

Reviewed by Sam 🧑🏻🇺🇸🌈

Technical: 3.75/5

Filmmaker Tony Gilroy is known for writing Andor (2022–25) and the Bourne movies. But his latest film, Behemoth!, which had its world premiere at New York Film Festival, dives into the music world. Pedro Pascal plays Alex Serian, a renowned cellist, who returns to Los Angeles and confronts his relationships with family members and old lovers. The storyline frequently jumps between time periods and can be disorienting, yet the movie grounds itself in a beautiful score.

Alex's dramatic cello performances overlay with tonally similar scenes. For example, when he plays a swoony love theme with the orchestra, the film shows Alex's romantic pursuits. This creative approach is engaging for the first and last acts, but the middle loses momentum as the movie pauses to focus on Alex’s journey rather than the direction he’s headed, becoming more meandering than reflective.

Gender: 3.5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? NOPE

Most of the female characters are Alex’s ex-girlfriends, including Carol (Olivia Wilde), a wealthy woman who’s obsessed with him, and Nadia (Eva Victor), Alex’s former colleague and brief fling. Carol serves as comedic relief, popping up in unexpected places to chase after Alex. Meanwhile, Nadia functions as a catalyst for Alex’s introspection. While the film points out that Alex is to blame for these failed relationships, it’s still disappointing that these women lack narrative independence.

In smaller roles, Bronte (Kaya Ralls) is Alex’s cellist mentee, and Viviana (Alexa Swinton) is Nadia’s musically gifted daughter. Although Nadia is primarily viewed through Alex’s perspective, her daughter has her own storyline and a pivotal role. The mythology around Viviana’s musical talents and her strong personality make her a memorable character.

Race: 2.5/5

While Chilean American actor Pascal portrays Alex, the film never specifies the character’s ethnicity. Alex’s family members—podcaster brother, Andy (Will Arnett); his aging mother, Ginnie (JoBeth Williams); and his musician father, Peter (Hank Azaria)—are played by white, non-Latino actors. The film never suggests that Alex has a different racial background than his white family.

Two supporting characters include Andy’s wife, Toya, played by Mexican actress Stephanie Sigman, and Bronte, played by actor of color Ralls. Toya appears only once or twice, but Bronte blossoms from a shy, anxious cellist into a confident one under Alex’s guidance. Her backstory is barely fleshed out, though. At most, we know that Bronte is at the beginning of her musical career.

In the background, some characters of color can be seen during orchestra scenes. But ultimately, most of the screen time goes to white characters.

Mediaversity Grade: C+ 3.25/5

Behemoth! successfully executes a grand, music-driven narrative. The laser focus on Alex limits other character development, but Gilroy's experimental storytelling and hard-hitting emotional moments leave an impression.

Like Behemoth!? Try these other titles featuring orchestras.

Grade: CLiNovember 9, 2026