Of all the mysterious figures descending upon Moscow in Alex’s animated adaptation of The Master and Margarita, none captures the audience’s imagination quite like Behemoth. A towering black cat who walks upright, speaks with sharp wit, and causes mischief with theatrical flair, Behemoth is a memorable figure of chaos and comedy. He’s not just a sidekick or comic relief. Behemoth is the embodiment of mischief—a creature who thrives on absurdity and leaves a trail of surreal mayhem in his wake.
A Cat with a Taste for Trouble
In the novel, Behemoth arrives as part of Woland’s enigmatic entourage, immediately standing out. Towering and portly, he’s no ordinary cat. He engages in outrageous antics—lighting fires with a primus stove, brandishing toy, and creating humorous havoc wherever he goes. When things take bizarre turns, Behemoth is often at the center, a catalyst for the story’s most surreal moments.
Even when he appears to be in danger, he bounces back in improbable ways—once humorously reviving himself with a sip of gasoline, in a scene that captures the darkly comedic tone of the novel. Despite his antics, he serves a deeper narrative purpose as a trickster figure who both entertains and unsettles.
A Mysterious Cat with Many Layers
The name “Behemoth” traditionally refers to a powerful and enigmatic creature in various cultural tales. In Bulgakov’s hands, this reference is transformed into a character who straddles the line between folklore, satire, and the supernatural.
Far from a wild creature of the wilderness, Behemoth becomes a sharply dressed cat in a world turned upside-down. His fondness for food—particularly in Chapter 28’s scene at the Torgsin store—adds a layer of symbolism, reflecting themes of temptation and excess. Some scholars suggest this connects him to ancient ideas of gluttony and desire, portrayed here through absurd comedy.
From Folklore to Familiar
Behemoth’s form is rich in symbolism. In European folklore, black cats are often linked to mystery and superstition. In Bulgakov’s work, however, the character’s roots may be more personal—his second wife Lyubov Belozerskaya once revealed that the character was inspired by their own gray cat, Flyushka. This domestic origin adds charm and irony to a character so closely tied to chaos.
The Final Transformation
Though he may seem like a buffoon, Behemoth is far more complex. In the novel’s final act, when Woland and his companions reveal their true forms, the cat disappears—replaced by a slim young man, a theatrical jester of extraordinary talent.
This transformation underscores the depth of the character: the antics, the surreal chaos, the humor—all served a deeper purpose. Behemoth, beneath the jokes and fur, is a figure of mystery and intention, using humor as a mask for more profound forces at play.
The Cat Who Knew Too Much
In Alex’s animated adaptation, Behemoth isn’t merely comic relief—he’s a symbol of the absurdity of chaos, the fine line between humor and seriousness, and the unpredictability of charisma wrapped in mystery. He parades through Moscow like a mischievous showman, blending slapstick with sharp satire.
As this animated vision of The Master and Margarita unfolds, Behemoth stands out as a reminder that appearances can deceive—and that sometimes, the most playful characters hold the greatest complexity.
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The Master and Margarita is a registered trademark of Alexander Golberg Jero.
As previously mentioned, Alexander Golberg Jero will eventually pass all executive trademark rights to Sergey Shilovsky, heir to Bulgakov’s estate. He currently shares trademark rights with Logos Film Groupe and Svetlana Migunova-Dali for the development of a sequel animated television series and a live-action film. Both projects are protected under United States copyright law and the full extent of trademark law. Svetlana Migunova-Dali has demonstrated the ability to attract prominent Hollywood talent, and her film is positioned to become a milestone in modern cinema.