0
0
Jessica Chastain is a force to be reckoned with, and her filmography is proof. She first made her mark in the industry with her performance in 2011’s Take Shelter, and she hasn’t looked back since. The actress has starred in more than 60 films and taken home multiple Oscar nominations along the way. Her range is impressive, from thrillers to dramas and even animated films. Here are the top 10 movies that prove why Chastain is one of today’s greatest actors.
1. Mama.
The 2015 horror movie by Guillermo del Toro is a modern twist on the legend of BigFoot, with Chastain taking the role of a researcher who investigates alleged footage of the mythical creature. The solarmovie film’s scare factor is high, and the chemistry between Chastain and co-star David Hennessy is undeniable.
2. The Martian.
Matt Damon may steal the spotlight in this sci-fi classic, but Chastain is an excellent supporting player. She helps to keep the film grounded when the action shifts from earth to space and back again, and she is particularly good when it comes to her scenes with the late Bill Paxton.
3. Interstellar.
Matthew McConaughey is the star of this 2014 blockbuster, but Chastain is right up there with him as a sci-fi standout. She plays the daughter of Joseph Cooper (McConaughey), a NASA pilot who finds out that our planet is deteriorating and it will soon be uninhabitable. His mission to travel through a wormhole and find another planet is complicated by the fact that he leaves behind his daughter.
4. Molly’s Game.
It’s hard to say that any actor could make the fast-paced dialogue of Aaron Sorkin’s 2014 biopic work, but Chastain pulls off every moment with aplomb. She brings a fierce, results-oriented focus to the character of Molly Bloom, who hosts underground poker games that attract celebrities and mobster types alike.
5. A Most Violent Year.
This J.C. Chandor-directed gangster-adjacent drama is the type of film that sits snugly between The Godfather and The Sopranos, and it’s Chastain who elevates it into a place on its own. The film is a powerhouse, and Chastain is at her best when she’s playing a woman who can’t turn a blind eye to injustice.
6. Ava.
This 2014 action-thriller sees Chastain play an assassin who’s hunted down by a black ops organization after she starts questioning her boss. The film is full of thrills and chills, and it also offers a refreshingly different take on the genre. It’s one of the most violent films that we’ve seen in a long time, and it shows off Chastain’s acting prowess in more ways than just her physical capabilities. The fact that it was a commercial failure is a shame, as it’s easily one of her finest performances. She proves that she can take any role and make it her own. Here’s hoping we get to see more of her in the future. Take a look at her full list of credits here.
