Netflix released its mystery-fueled thriller movie “Heartland” starring Jessica Chastain, and viewers seeking higher-quality alternatives can turn to five curated follow-up films.
- Jessica Chastain stars in Aaron Sorkin’s 2017 biographical drama “Molly’s Game,” alongside Idris Elba and Kevin Costner.
- Denis Villeneuve’s 2013 thriller “Prisoners” follows a parent searching for a missing child in a manner similar to “Heartland” protagonist Misty Jones.
- Jeff Nichols’ 2017 psychological drama “Take Shelter” and Josh and Benny Safdie’s 2017 crime drama “Good Time” offer alternative gritty character studies.
Jessica Chastain won an Oscar for her lead role in the 2021 biopic “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” alongside nominations for “The Help” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” “These are great movies, well, two of them at least, but my favorite flick starring Chastain remains 2017's” Molly's Game, the directorial debut of screenwriting extraordinaire Aaron Sorkin, said the reviewer.
Based on Molly Bloom’s memoir, the biographical drama follows the titular character as she transitions from an Olympic hopeful to running the world’s most exclusive poker game. Her high-rolling gambling empire faces steep jeopardy when criminals become involved, leading to an FBI trial.
Because “Heartland” is set in Nashville, a logical thematic follow-up is Robert Altman’s 1975 satirical comedy-drama “Nashville,” which was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Set over five days, the ensemble film tracks various residents leading up to a presidential candidate gala concert.
For viewers drawn to the missing relative investigation driving the Netflix thriller, Denis Villeneuve’s 2013 movie “Prisoners” offers a brooding alternative. Keller Dover, played by Hugh Jackman, takes matters into his own hands when his young daughter and her friend go missing during Thanksgiving, running parallel to police detective Loki, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, while co-starring Viola Davis, Terrence Howard, and Paul Dano.
Another early Chastain credit is Jeff Nichols’ 2011 slow-burn psychological thriller “Take Shelter,” where she stars alongside Michael Shannon. Shannon plays Curtis, an Ohio resident plagued by apocalyptic visions who builds a backyard storm shelter while his behavior isolates him from his wife, Sam.
Rounding out the selection is Josh and Benny Safdie’s “Good Time,” which mirrors the dark capital city atmosphere explored in “Heartland.” The New York City-set crime drama follows Robert Pattinson as Connie attempting to secure bail for his arrested brother Nick, played by Benny Safdie, following a botched robbery.
