A little over a decade ago, acclaimed actor and S/ Fall 2019 cover girl Jessica Chastain landed her first film role as a 15-year-old runaway in Jolene. In just a short matter of time since, she’s gone on to become one of the most sought after names in Hollywood. Establishing herself as an Oscar-nominated blockbuster favourite, Chastain has made a name for herself for her portrayal of strong-willed women in films with feminist themes. As a headstrong woman herself out of character, she strongly advocates for equal pay and representation in the film industry, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2012. With her latest project, IT Chapter Two, in theatres today, there are no signs of slowing down for the renowned movie star. In celebration of one of Hollywood’s most beloved talents, we’re taking a look back at some of the most unforgettable roles that have shaped Chastain’s career into the eminent superstardom it is today.

The Help

Receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Jessica Chastain plays the sweet and vivacious Celia Foote, an aspiring socialite in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. She develops a friendship with her African-American maid, played by Octavia Spencer.

Interstellar

Interstellar by Christopher Nolan follows a team of explorers who travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity’s survival. Co-starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, Chastain plays Murph, the adult version of McConaughey’s daughter, who displays an unbreakable bond with her father.

Zero Dark Thirty

In 2012, Jessica Chastain received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty. The film tells a partly fictionalized account of the decade-long manhunt for Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Chastain plays a CIA analyst whose will and determination prove fruitful in the hunt for the terrorist leader.

Molly’s Game

In Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Chastain plays Molly Bloom in the true story of an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game, eventually leading to her arrest by the FBI. Her performance as Molly Bloom landed Chastain her fifth Golden Globe nomination.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures by Brooke Palmer