Why Tony Gilroy Used Nine Composers for Behemoth Score

The Ambition Behind a Multi‑Composer Score

When Tony Gilroy premiered Behemoth at the New York Film Festival, the audience heard more than a single musical voice. The film’s soundscape is the product of nine distinct composers, each bringing a unique texture to a story about a cellist haunted by his past. Gilroy explained that the narrative demanded a layered score that could shift between classical intimacy and modern dissonance, a challenge that no single composer felt equipped to meet.

Gilroy’s Vision for a Musical Mosaic

Gilroy has long been known for his meticulous storytelling. In interviews he noted that Behemoth’s central character, played by Pedro Pascal, moves through three emotional phases: disciplined practice, sudden breakdown, and eventual redemption. To mirror this arc, Gilroy wanted separate musical perspectives that could evolve independently yet converge at key moments.

He also wanted the score to reflect the film’s setting in a prestigious concert hall, while hinting at the chaos that lies beneath the polished surface. By assigning different sections of the film to composers with varied backgrounds—classical, electronic, jazz, and experimental—Gilroy ensured each scene felt authentic to its emotional tone.

Meet the Nine Composers

The roster reads like a cross‑section of contemporary music talent. Below is a brief guide to each composer’s role and signature style.

1. Alexandre Desplat – The Classical Anchor

Desplat, a multiple Oscar winner, provided the core cello themes that recur throughout the film. His lush strings establish the protagonist’s deep connection to his instrument.

2. Trent Reznor – The Industrial Edge

Reznor, known for his work on The Social Network, supplied the gritty electronic pulses that underscore the moments of psychological tension.

3. Hildur Guðnadóttir – The Atmospheric Layer

Guðnadóttir, celebrated for Joker, contributed low‑frequency drones that give the hall a sense of looming dread during the film’s climax.

4. Jonny Greenwood – The Avant‑Garde Touch

Greenwood’s experimental guitar textures appear in the scenes where the cellist confronts his inner demons, adding an unsettling edge.

5. Ryuichi Sakamoto – The Minimalist Interlude

Sakamoto’s sparse piano motifs play during moments of introspection, allowing the audience to breathe between the film’s more intense sequences.

6. Ludwig Göransson – The Rhythmic Pulse

Göransson introduced percussive elements that mimic the heartbeat of the concert hall, especially during the performance scenes.

7. Mica Levi – The Dissonant Counterpoint

Levi’s unsettling strings clash with Desplat’s melodies, creating a sense of conflict that mirrors the protagonist’s struggle.

8. Hans Zimmer – The Emotional Bridge

Zimmer crafted a sweeping bridge theme that ties the film’s three acts together, providing continuity amid the diverse musical voices.

9. Natalie Holt – The Modern Pop Infusion

Holt added subtle synth layers that hint at contemporary influences, grounding the score in today’s musical landscape.

How the Collaboration Worked

Gilroy organized the scoring process around three key phases: rehearsal, performance, and resolution. Each composer received a detailed cue sheet outlining the emotional intent, timing, and instrumentation for their assigned scenes. The team met weekly at Lincoln Center’s Tully Hall, where they could hear each other’s work in the same acoustic space.

According to a report from New York Film Festival, the composers recorded their parts in parallel, then shared stems with the group. A central mixing engineer blended the tracks, ensuring that transitions felt seamless despite the varied styles.

Impact on the Narrative

The result is a score that feels like a conversation between the characters and their inner thoughts. When Pascal’s cellist plays a solo, Desplat’s lyrical line dominates, but as the scene darkens, Reznor’s electronic hum seeps in, creating a tension that the audience feels viscerally.

In the climactic concert, all nine composers’ themes converge. The orchestra follows Desplat’s melody, while Greenwood’s avant‑garde guitar weaves through, and Zimmer’s bridge lifts the music to a cathartic peak. This layered approach mirrors the film’s visual layering, where close‑up shots of the cello are intercut with sweeping hall shots.

Critical Reception and Industry Response

Critics have praised the ambitious score. Variety highlighted the “rich tapestry of sound” that “elevates the film’s emotional stakes.” The Billboard review noted that the collaboration “sets a new standard for how film music can be a collective art form rather than a solitary effort.”

Industry insiders see the project as a potential blueprint for future scores that require diverse musical vocabularies. The success of Behemoth’s soundtrack may encourage studios to consider multi‑composer teams for complex narratives.

Behind the Scenes: Technical Challenges

Mixing nine distinct musical voices presented technical hurdles. The sound team had to balance the dynamic range of a full orchestra with the low‑frequency drones of Guðnadóttir and the high‑frequency synths of Holt. Advanced digital audio workstations and a dedicated mastering suite at The Recording Academy were used to achieve a cohesive final mix.

Another challenge was ensuring that the score remained consistent across different playback environments, from cinema surround sound to streaming platforms. Gilroy’s team employed a rigorous quality‑control process, testing the mix on multiple speaker configurations.

Future Prospects for Collaborative Scoring

Behemoth demonstrates that a collaborative scoring model can enhance storytelling when the narrative demands multiple musical perspectives. As film narratives become more complex, directors may look to assemble composer collectives that can address varied tonal requirements.

For aspiring composers, the project offers a lesson in adaptability and communication. Working within a shared vision while preserving individual artistic voice proved essential to the project’s success.

Ultimately, the nine‑composer score of Behemoth stands as a testament to Tony Gilroy’s willingness to experiment and to the power of music to shape cinematic experience.