 Chastain specializes in portraying emotionally grueling roles and is drawn towards parts of strong but flawed women. She believes in extensive preparations for a role, and (in her own words) she tries to "fill myself up with as much history of the character as I can". Chastain is unique in being a Hollywood actress who overcame ageism to become a leading lady in her 30s. The critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper have praised Chastain's versatility, and W magazine credits her for avoiding typecasting. Guillermo del Toro (who directed her in Crimson Peak) believes that she is "interested in being chameleonic" and that "no matter how bizarre the situation [...] she ’ s able to bring completely real emotions to the game". Describing Chastain's abilities as an actress, Sophie Heawood of The Guardian wrote that "she brings so little ego to the roles she plays, so little of herself, that you go away with no idea who that actress actually was." Harper's Bazaar opines that "she goes for total immersion, sinking so deep into character that her face seems to change shape with each one". Lea Goldman of Marie Claire compares her craft to that of actresses Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett and believes that her "looks are always an afterthought".
