Pedro Pascal Discusses His Cellist Role in Upcoming Film Behemoth!

Actor Pedro Pascal and director Tony Gilroy shared insights into the upcoming film Behemoth! at the New York Film Festival, detailing the central role that music plays in connecting the protagonist's past and present.

Published 3 November 2026

Introduction to the Project

Actor Pedro Pascal stars as a cellist in the upcoming film Behemoth!, a project written and directed by Oscar winner Tony Gilroy.

Pascal recently spoke about the project at a screening held during the New York Film Festival on Friday, highlighting the personal nature of the storytelling.

Character and Plot Details

In the movie, Pascal plays Alex Serian, a musician who relocates to Los Angeles to look after his dying mother and distance himself from an overbearing ex portrayed by Olivia Wilde.

While in Los Angeles, the protagonist joins an orchestra that plays film scores, which serves to connect scattered fragments of his history.

The Role of Music

The score for the production was composed by nine different musicians and functions as a narrative bridge linking past and present events for both the main character and the audience.

Pascal noted that the musical elements guide the viewer through the intimate emotional landscape of the narrative.

Director's Creative Shift

For filmmaker Tony Gilroy, this production represents a notable narrative departure from his earlier work on action movies and legal thrillers.

The director explained that he had never previously written a protagonist who was neither actively rushing toward nor escaping from crises.

Inspirations Behind the Protagonist

Gilroy drew inspiration from legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni when shaping the temperament of the lead character.

The goal was to create a figure who functions as a passenger experiencing events without being overwhelmed by them.

Cast Perspectives on the Character

Eva Victor, who portrays one of Alex's partners in the movie, offered a different perspective on the lead character's demeanor.

She suggested that avoiding engagement and fleeing from personal challenges amounts to an active form of self-sabotage rather than true passivity.

News Overview

Pedro Pascal discusses his role as a cellist in Tony Gilroy's upcoming film Behemoth!, which was featured at the New York Film Festival.

The narrative follows a musician navigating personal challenges in Los Angeles, with a multi-composer score acting as a bridge to his past.

Key facts

• Pedro Pascal is 51 years old.
• Tony Gilroy is 70 years old.
• The screening took place at the New York Film Festival on Friday.
• The film score for Behemoth! was written by nine composers.