Full Breakdown
Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!” to Open 64th New York Film Festival as Centerpiece
7/28/2026, 8:17:57 PM
Core Event
Searchlight Pictures’ drama Behemoth! will world-premiere as the centerpiece of the 64th New York Film Festival in early October, with a theatrical rollout slated for December. The film follows Alex (Pedro Pascal), a former child-prodigy cellist who leaves a Chicago orchestra, returns to Los Angeles, and confronts family and personal turmoil while recording Hollywood scores. The ensemble also includes Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria and Will Arnett.
Background & Context
Tony Gilroy, an Oscar-nominated writer-director, last helmed a feature in 2012 with *The Bourne Legacy*. He later created the Emmy-nominated, Peabody-winning Disney+ series Andor, which concluded its second season in 2025. The New York Film Festival traditionally showcases high-profile works that often become awards-season contenders.
Key Figures
- Tony Gilroy – Writer, director, creator of *Andor*.
- Pedro Pascal – Lead actor portraying Alex.
- Dennis Lim – Artistic director of the New York Film Festival.
- Olivia Wilde – Cast as Alex’s volatile ex-girlfriend.
- Eva Victor – Cast as Alex’s new love interest.
Data & Statistics
- The film features original compositions from nine leading Hollywood composers, including Michael Abels, Emily Bear, Lukas Frank, Michael Gianchino, James Newton Howard, Henry Jackman, Nami Melumad, Brandon Roberts and Alan Silvestri.
- The 64th NYFF runs from late September through early October, opening with James Gray’s *Paper Tiger* and closing with Ava DuVernay’s *14th*.
Official Statements & Responses
Gilroy said the NYFF invitation fulfills a lifelong aspiration, recalling a “bad seat” at a screening of *Fitzcarraldo* that sparked his devotion to the festival. Dennis Lim praised the film’s “creative use of music” and highlighted Pascal’s central performance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have been orbiting NYFF for the great majority of my life,” — Tony Gilroy
- “There is so much to savor in this immaculately crafted film, from its creative use of music to its note-perfect ensemble cast. Holding it all together is a tour de force by Pedro Pascal, one of the performances of the year from one of our true movie stars,” — Dennis Lim
Why It Matters
Positioning *Behemoth!* as the NYFF centerpiece signals strong festival confidence and may influence its Oscar trajectory, especially for Pascal’s lead role and the film’s musical craftsmanship. The premiere also marks Gilroy’s return to solo feature filmmaking.
What's Next
The film will be screened for festival audiences in early October, followed by a broader theatrical release in December. Awards-season speculation is already circulating, with potential nominations anticipated for acting, screenplay and original-score categories.
