Pedro Pascal’s ‘Behemoth!’ Scores 80% on Rotten Tomatoes Ahead of Oscar Buzz
Pedro Pascal has been quite active lately, and his latest film is a significant departure from his previous work. ‘Behemoth!’ marks his first leading role in a film since ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ shifting from galaxies far, far away to the quieter realm of Hollywood scoring stages.
Directed by Tony Gilroy, known for creating ‘Andor’ and earning an Oscar nomination for ‘Michael Clayton,’ this film is his return to feature films after a 14-year hiatus. ‘Behemoth!’ premiered at the New York Film Festival, with Searchlight Pictures set to release it on December 4.
The initial critical reception is in, with ‘Behemoth!’ holding an 80% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 reviews, while the audience-driven Popcornmeter score is still pending. It debuted even higher, with an 85% from 13 reviews, 11 of which were positive, and the score is expected to change as more critics provide their insights.
The story follows Alex Serian, a talented cellist returning to Los Angeles after two decades on the road. Music has been the driving force in his life, leading him on a transformative journey. Pascal stars alongside Olivia Wilde as Carol, with Eva Victor, Will Arnett, Hank Azaria, Matthew Lillard, and Alexa Swinton rounding out the cast.
Early reviews have been largely positive. SlashFilm rated it 8.5 out of 10, stating that Pascal has found his ideal movie star role. Deadline described it as a lyrical tribute to the music of cinema, commending Pascal’s understated performance as a wandering soul seeking his identity.
However, not all reviews are favorable. One critic noted that the script lacks depth for Alex, labeling him a sideliner in his own narrative and suggesting that the drama often stalls. The reviews reflect a divide over whether a character who struggles to make decisions can effectively carry a film.
One consensus among critics is that Pascal genuinely plays the cello, with Variety’s reviewer highlighting that Gilroy avoided the common pitfall of faked performances by having Pascal learn the instrument. Such details are often noted by awards voters.
Discussions about awards have been ongoing, with ‘Behemoth!’ previously predicted as a strong contender for Best Picture at the 2027 Oscars. The initial reviews bolster the chances for Gilroy to receive nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, along with a potential Best Actor nomination for Pascal, marking his first Academy Award nomination.
First trailer for Tony Gilroy’s new film ‘BEHEMOTH!’, starring Pedro Pascal.
The film follows a cellist who returns to Los Angeles after 20 years, confronting his past along the way.
In theaters on December 4. pic.twitter.com/o8AyoshH54
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 14, 2026
The production has experienced its own share of drama, with David Harbour exiting the film after reportedly filming some scenes, leading to Will Arnett stepping in to fill the role. Searchlight kept the film’s synopsis under wraps for months, which only heightened the intrigue.
With a limited release on December 4, there remains time for the score to fluctuate. For now, ‘Behemoth!’ appears to be the kind of prestigious project that Gilroy and Pascal envisioned, and the conversation surrounding awards season has already begun.
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