Pedro Pascal has taken on the challenge of learning to play the cello for his leading role in the upcoming film "Behemoth!," directed and written by Oscar-winning filmmaker Tony Gilroy. The actor, who is also Chilean-American, described his connection to the story and the role as deeply intimate, highlighting how music serves as a central thread in the narrative.

Set partly in Los Angeles, the film follows Alex Serian, a cellist who relocates to the city to care for his ailing mother while trying to distance himself from a controlling ex-partner, portrayed by Olivia Wilde. In Los Angeles, Alex joins an orchestra that specializes in performing film scores. The music performed by this group acts as a bridge between the character’s present experiences and fragmented memories from his past, which appear to weigh heavily on him.

Pascal characterized Alex as a somewhat passive observer of his own life, likening the experience to that of the audience watching his journey unfold. As the character travels through various cities and relationships, the film’s score—composed by nine different composers and integrated into the orchestra’s performances—evokes memories and emotions that underpin his story.

"Behemoth!" represents a shift for Gilroy, who is better known for his work on action franchises such as the “Bourne” series, as well as legal dramas like “Michael Clayton.” At 70, Gilroy said this project allowed him to explore a different kind of protagonist: one who does not flee from or pursue dramatic crises but instead moves through life with a quiet, reflective presence. He cited Italian cinema icon Marcello Mastroianni as an inspiration for this approach, noting that Mastroianni’s characters often embody a form of passive observation while remaining compelling.

The film combines elements of past and present, using the encapsulating power of music to connect themes of memory, identity, and emotional complexity through the eyes of its central character.