Claim: Jessica Chastain was in movies of American production.

A Most Violent Year is a 2014 American crime drama film written and directed by J. C. Chandor . The film stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain with Alessandro Nivola , David Oyelowo , Albert Brooks , and Catalina Sandino Moreno . The protagonist is Abel Morales -LRB- Isaac -RRB- , the owner of a small heating-oil company who is stressed by the competitiveness in the oil trade and his having to secure costly loans to expand his business . When his truck drivers start getting hijacked , there is increased pressure for his drivers to arm themselves .   The film premiered as the opening film of the AFI Fest on November 6 , 2014 and it was released theatrically on December 31 , 2014 . It garnered positive reviews , and won the National Board of Review Award for Best Film .