Pedro Pascal learns cello for new film Behemoth directed by Tony Gilroy

Pedro Pascal learned to play the cello for his starring role in the upcoming film "Behemoth!" directed by Oscar-winning writer Tony Gilroy.

Story Details

The 51-year-old actor told AFP on Friday that he was drawn to the story due to its intimacy and the way music guides the narrative. The film jumps between the past and present to tell the story of Alex Serian, a cellist who moves to Los Angeles. He relocates to care for his dying mother and to escape an overbearing ex played by Olivia Wilde. While in Los Angeles, he joins an orchestra that performs film scores. The music serves as a link for both the main character and the audience, connecting fragments from his past. The film's score was written by nine composers. US actress Eva Victor also stars in the movie as one of Alex's partners.

Filmmaker Shift

The project marks a shift for Gilroy, who previously wrote action movies like the "Bourne" films and legal thrillers like "Michael Clayton." The 70-year-old filmmaker said he was inspired by legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni when creating a character who feels like a passenger in his own life without being passive. Eva Victor questioned whether the main character is truly passive, describing his tendency to run away and avoid engagement as actively self-sabotaging.

Context

Film scores often play a central role in cinema by driving emotional beats and shaping how audiences experience a character's internal journey. Many directors experiment with different musical structures to weave together shifting timelines in dramatic storytelling.