Jessica Chastain has been captivating moviegoers with her wide range of compelling performances since she made an impact in 2011. Her numerous roles, from a powerful lobbyist to a loving daughter of astronauts, demonstrate her talent and versatility as an actress. This article takes an in-depth look at some of Jessica Chastain’s best movies. The acclaimed directors that have worked alongside this starlet, her animation contributions, and how she is changing Hollywood for the better.
Jessica Chastain’s Top 9 Performances
Jessica Chastain’s impressive acting range is evident in the vast array of roles she has taken on throughout her career. From captivating dramas to visually stunning adventures, this celebrated actress and producer have left a lasting impact on the film industry through some highly memorable Jessica Chastain movies.
We will now look at 10 noteworthy performances from her expansive videography that truly highlight her incredible talent and versatility as an actor.
- Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Jessica Chastain’s performance in the 2012 political thriller Zero Dark Thirty is an impressive display of dedication and skill. Her portrayal as a CIA analyst named Maya, on her relentless pursuit to capture Osama bin Laden, captivated viewers everywhere, resulting in five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Chastain commands attention through each scene with intensity and passion. Showcasing why she continues to be considered one of Hollywood’s leading stars today.
- The Help (2011)
Jessica Chastain was recognized for her Oscar-nominated role as Celia Rae Foote in The Help (2011). Set during 1960s segregation, it follows a reporter who wants to hear stories from African American workers employed by high-class white households. In this movie, Chastain plays an individual with deep empathy and kindness towards these people, which saw her nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, and Emma Stone also winning a Screen Actors Guild Award. Her skillful performance of compassion resonated profoundly with viewers. Making clear that she is indeed talented at what she does.
- Molly’s Game (2017)
Jessica Chastain stars in Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Molly’s Game (2017). In a captivating performance as the former Olympic skiing hopeful-turned-high-stakes poker game runner, Molly Bloom. She attracted celebrities and mobsters to her tables at a real live casino, eventually leading to an FBI investigation. To avoid possible prison time, she enlists Charlie Jaffey, played by Idris Elba as her lawyer.
Chastain proved herself worthy of the Golden Globe nomination for Lead Actress with her portrayal of such a multifaceted character that truly challenges both performer and audience alike, highlighting why Jessica continuously chooses strong parts like these.
- Interstellar (2014)
Jessica Chastain’s talent for expressing complex feelings with little dialogue is highlighted in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014), where she plays Murph, the daughter of Matthew McConaughey’s character. As he launches a mission to reach Saturn and find new land for humanity, her scene titled ‘23 years later message’ displays powerful emotions from being separated. Her performance among this stellar cast featuring Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon shows that Jessica Chastain has great potential as an actor in the film industry.
- Take Shelter (2011)
Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, take center stage in the powerful drama Take Shelter (2011). Directed by Jeff Nichols, this film delves into themes of mental illness and masculinity as it follows Chastain’s Samantha – wife to a man with visions of an apocalypse. She provides unfailing support for her husband while displaying tremendous acting skills that resonate deeply with viewers. It is clear from this performance that Chastain knows how to select dynamic roles requiring great emotional depth. She succeeds every time at connecting with audiences on a personal level.
- A Most Violent Year (2014)
Jessica Chastain delivers a riveting performance as Anna in A Most Violent Year (2014) opposite co-star Oscar Isaac, who plays her ambitious husband. Set during 1981 – NYC’s most dangerous year, the crime drama follows their struggles to protect their business amidst increasing violence and turmoil. Her strong portrayal of an independent female character highlights the ability of A24 — this film’s distributor — to create trend-setting cinema for viewers globally. It also cements Chastain’s reputation as an outstanding actor capable of immersing herself in various roles with great finesse.
- Crimson Peak (2015)
Jessica Chastain plays the role of Lucille Sharpe, a wickedly enthralling villain in Guillermo del Toro’s 2015 Gothic romance drama Crimson Peak. The film tells of an oppressive haunted house and its invisible spirit inhabitant as Lucille tries to push away her brother’s newfound love interest. Demonstrating her range as an actor with darker roles such as this one, it is apparent that Chastain strives for diversity when selecting projects that display her wonderful talent in acting. Through this particular role, she has proven that she will take on whatever challenge or risk necessary to Hone and develop existing capabilities.
- Miss Sloane (2016)
Jessica Chastain plays the title character of Elizabeth Sloane in Miss Sloane, a gripping political drama. Her riveting performance as this fiercely smart and determined lobbyist brings to life her strong female lead against major gun groups – displaying Chastain’s talent for captivating viewers with one role alone. Despite limited box office success, critics and moviegoers praised her work, which earned her an esteemed Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in Motion Picture Drama. Yet another testament to how she constantly takes on challenging characters that test both herself and audience members alike.
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
In Jessica Chastain’s role as the iconic televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021), she demonstrates her skills at both comedy and drama. Nominated for its makeup and hairstyling, this movie showcases Chastain’s talent to become fully immersed into a character with an amazing performance that has been applauded by many critics. Despite some criticism aimed at how the film portrayed Bakker’s innocence or conflicting messages from the screenplay, it highlights yet again how dedicatedly Chastain chooses interesting roles which really show off her acting range.
