My Favourite Jessica Chastain Movies of All-Time

Few actresses entertain audiences like Jessica Chastain. Since the 1990’s, Chastain has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s helpful housekeepers, interstellar astronomers or terrorism investigators, Chastain has portrayed many characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Interstellar

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I’ve always admired my father. An inspiring role model, he has motivated me to achieve dreams. However, career has affected our relationship forever. Focused on pursuing his career, my father hasn’t always been available when I need him the most. Located on the other side of the world, our relationship has been impacted by barriers of long-distance.  Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the barriers that prevent fathers from spending time with children as powerfully as “Interstellar”. Ever since its release in 2014, Jessica Chastain’s movie has stood the test of time as a sci-fi classic. In the greatest role of her career, Chastain embodies an intelligent astronomer that faces despair when she is separated from her father embarking on space missions causing fear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Chastain has always been one of those actresses with the ability to convey strong emotions through silence without dialogue, and “Interstellar” showcased her strengths as a performer. Working alongside Matthew McConaughey, Chastain creates a compelling father-daughter relationship. For instance, the scene in which Murphy reunites with her father experiencing a commemorated reunion after several years of separation on found footage is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Interstellar” Jessica Chastain’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about fathers leaving children behind during heartbreaking separations to embark on space expeditions that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about a celebrated actress whose unforgettable movies are worth celebrating.

2. The Help

Housekeepers have helped my family. At an early age, I bonded with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Dedicated to doing every chore, she was a person that my family had grown to adore. A devoted housemaid, she dedicated herself to doing her job regardless how much she was paid. She made it her life’s priority to help my family. As someone treasuring a joyous housemaid providing my family with help, I adored “The Help”. Released in 2011, Jessica Chastain’s movie offered beautiful adaptations of a bold book. In the most caring role of her career, Chastain portrays a white woman that seeks to treat black housekeepers fairly during racial segregation. Chastain has spent most of her career playing serious characters that experience despair. With “The Help”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by demonstrating her aptitude for comedy. For instance, the scene in which Celia spends time bonding with her housekeeper Minnie by eating fried chicken demonstrated the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Help” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about housekeepers that would resonate with everyone. A commemorated adaptation of a book about housemaids that are helpful, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose movies audiences consider special.

3. The Martian

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old when bombs struck my household. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I miraculously made it out of bomb blasts without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals surviving a disastrous situation as powerfully as “The Martian”. Released in 2015, Jessica Chastain’s movie offered an engaging adaptation of a beloved science-fiction book about space survival. In the most anxious role of her career, Chastain embodies a female astronaut that faces fear when her comrade is stranded on a planet causing despair. Chastain has had the ability to communicate emotions through expressions, and her strengths are clearly evident in “The Martian”. For instance, the scene in which Commander Lewis discovers the shocking news that Mark Watney is alive is one of the most memorable moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Martian” a science-fiction classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of hardships astronauts experience seeking to survive in space, it’s a sensational reminder about an actress whose timeless movies audiences embrace.

4. The Tree of Life

Mothers are powerful figures shaping children’s future. As far as I remember, I’ve shared strong bonds with a mother I treasure. A hard-working woman, she has been a source of inspiration guiding my life in the right direction. Through her wisdom, I was inspired to make my dreams come true. As someone treasuring a mother that ensured my happiness in life, I adored “The Tree of Life”. Released in 2011, Jessica Chastain’s movie chronicled a mother raising her family in 1950’s Texas. In the most silent role of her career, Chastain embodies a determined mother raising a family that’s a burden to bear. Chastain has spent most of her career playing women with strong personalities. With “The Tree of Life”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a quiet woman with subtlety. For instance, the scene in which Mrs. O’Brien spends time bonding with her children in silence is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Tree of Life” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of motherhood, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress that has stood the test of time as an icon in Hollywood.

5. Zero Dark Thirty

Terrorism has always fascinated my teacher. I remember forming long-lasting relationships with a Muslim teacher fascinated by the war on terror. He was fascinated by decade-long hunts in which Osama Bin Laden was investigated. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher that was fascinated with terrorism in American history, I adored “Zero Dark Thirty”. Released in 2012, Jessica Chastain’s movie depicted hunts for the notorious terrorist Osama Bin Laden. In the most methodical role of her career, Chastain embodies a fierce female analyst inspecting a terrorist causing despair. Chastain has always thrived at playing commemorated characters, and her strengths are evident in “Zero Dark Thirty”. For instance, the ending scene in which Maya begins crying following the death of Osama Bin Laden is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Zero Dark Thirty” a great terrorism movie is its perspective. In an industry that regards the Middle East with fear, the film provided a balanced portrayal of terrorism that’s rare. Nearly 15 years after Osama Bin Laden was hunted down for crimes he had committed, it’s a strong reminder about an actress whose timeless movies deserve to be appreciated.

6. The Eyes of Tammy Faye

When it comes to the most celebrated evangelists in the world today, it’s worth discussing Tammy Faye. During the 1970’s, Faye achieved popularity for hosting the famous television talk show The PTL Club. Despite facing adversities, Faye never gave up her dreams of evangelism building a lasting legacy. In 2021, Jessica Chastain did an exceptional job of portraying the beloved evangelist in her movie “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”. In the most transformative role of her career, Chastain embodies a famous evangelist that engaged in a doomed romantic affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing feminist icons. Nearly 30 years after Tammy Faye became an evangelist facing a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress whose unforgettable movies are worth celebrating today.

7. A Most Violent Year

Jessica Chastain is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing emotional women facing pain. Chastain has built an image for playing tormented women facing emotional damage. Chastain’s strengths for playing women that face despair in her career is clearly evident in her film “A Most Violent Year”. Released in 2014, Jessica Chastain’s crime drama captured a woman committing crimes causing trauma. In the most serious role of her career, Chastain embodies a fierce woman engaging in a criminal lifestyle causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her flair for playing women that face despair. A powerful portrait of fear faced by women engaging in crimes during a most violent year, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built an illustrious career making movies about which audiences care.

8. Molly’s Game

Few women have built successful careers in poker that bloom like Molly Bloom. During the early 2000’s, Bloom became a poker player when she created her own game. Bloom’s rule-breaking games attracted attention of police authorities. Nevertheless, she never gave up her passion for poker creating a legacy that’s lasting. In 2017, Jessica Chastain celebrated the icon that achieved fame creating her own game in the film “Molly’s Game”. In the most feminist role of her career, Chastain embodies a poker player that created a game about which she came to care. Working alongside Idris Elba who is also amazing, Chastain honoured a poker player whose legacy is lasting. 20 years after Molly Bloom became an iconic poker player creating her own game, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose movies have always achieved fame.

9. Miss Sloane

Politics is a tricky subject to portray effectively in movies. When depicting politics in movies, filmmakers often find it challenging to make the subject entertaining. In the wake of recent events in the U.S., movies about politics have proven hard to make. In an industry that has often ignored the stories of political leaders that are well-known, it’s worth praising “Miss Sloane”. Released in 2016, Jessica Chastain’s movie captured a fierce feminist lobbyist attempting to pass gun control legislation. In the most political role of her career, Chastain embodies a lobbyist facing despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actress chance to showcase her talent for delivering monologues in movies. As strong as Miss Sloane’s desire to pass gun control, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actress that pours her heart and soul into every role.

10. Lawless

Prohibition is a painful time in American history when people suffered from alcohol addiction. During the 1930’s, bootlegging gangs fought over alcohol production. These gangs built a lasting legacy by fighting over booze people were drinking. In 2012, Jessica Chastain depicted the dark time when alcohol was lawless in her film “Lawless”. In the most provocative role of her career, Chastain embodies a woman that engages in a romantic affair with an alcoholic gangster facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to demonstrate her aptitude for playing conflicted characters. A larger-than-life portrait of a disturbing time period when alcohol was lawless, it’s a lovely reminder of an effortless actress with timeless appeal whose flawless films I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for Cinema that’s endless.