Jessica Chastain takes on her biggest role to date in Zero Dark Thirty, a controversial film from Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker).

Chastain is brilliant as CIA analyst Maya, a key part of the hunt for Osama bin Laden post 9/11.

Whether out in the field interrogating subjects or tracing suspects on her computer, Maya is devoted to her work.

If it sounds like Homeland the movie then think again: there’s no romance, no sex, no propping up the bar for our heroine.

Zero Dark Thirty is a detailed depiction of a complicated mission – slow in parts, thrilling in others, disturbing at times.

But you’ll come out of it even more impressed with Jessica Chastain (her performance has already won her a Golden Globe) – and hopeful for the future of female characters in cinema.

Zero Dark Thirty is in cinemas now

Watch the trailer for Zero Dark Thirty below

<iframe width="360" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EYFhFYoDAo4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>