Austin Film Festival 2026
Every so often, a film comes along that reminds me why I love movies. Tony Gilroy’s Behemoth! is one of those films. It’s ambitious, beautifully acted, sometimes a bit hard to follow, but definitely worth watching. I never once checked my watch, and since it’s just over two hours long, that says a lot.
Written and directed by Gilroy (Michael Clayton, Andor), Behemoth! stars Pedro Pascal as Alex Serian, a talented cellist who comes back to Los Angeles after years of traveling and performing. Alex was once a child prodigy, but now, as a middle-aged musician, he’s trying to understand his relationships, family, and the choices that shaped him. Music has always been there for him, but it hasn’t always given him the answers he wants.
Pascal is outstanding. I’ve liked his work for years, but this performance stands out. Alex is a complex character, not always great with people or even with himself, but Pascal makes him interesting to watch. He says a lot with small expressions and gestures, and sometimes with silence. It’s a controlled performance that never feels forced.
The supporting cast is just as impressive. Olivia Wilde brings energy to Carol, whose relationship with Alex has grown more complicated. Eva Victor adds emotion as Nadia, and Will Arnett, Hank Azaria, JoBeth Williams, and Alexa Swinton all help make a strong ensemble. Even when the story drifts, these performances keep the film grounded. The story does wander, but not in a bad way.
Gilroy uses a nonlinear structure, jumping between different times in Alex’s life without always making it clear right away. Sometimes I had to figure out where we were in the timeline and how events connected. I usually like when a film makes me pay attention, but a bit more clarity in some parts would have helped.
Still, those moments of confusion didn’t really take away from my enjoyment. The characters, acting, and story are just too engaging.
And then there’s the music.
Oh, that music!
The score is phenomenal, and I don’t use that word lightly. Made by nine composers called the Behemoth! Collective, the music is much more than just background. It feels like its own character, expressing emotions, bringing up memories, and sometimes saying what words can’t.
For a film about a musician, that’s absolutely spot on. Gilroy uses the music as a storytelling device, and some of the best moments come when the performance and the score are so perfectly in sync that no words are needed. A real achievement and one of my favorite things about the film.
What really struck me about Behemoth! was how much it held my attention. The narrative is quite unusual at times and can be a bit of a challenge to follow, but I was absolutely engaged with Alex’s story. I genuinely cared about what happened to him even when I wasn’t quite sure where it was all going.
Behemoth! Isn’t a typical drama, and I don’t think its structure will work for everyone. But for me, its strengths far outweigh its flaws. Pascal gives a great performance, Gilroy brings together a fantastic cast, and the amazing score lifts the whole film.
I left the screening really impressed, still thinking about the music and the story. That’s exactly what I hope for when I go to the movies.