Jessica Chastain (49) Serves Old-Hollywood Glamour Backstage at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Ahead of ‘Other Mommy’

Jessica Chastain is in full promotional mode. The Oscar winner has spent recent weeks talking up ‘Other Mommy’, Universal’s new horror film from director Rob Savage, which arrives in theaters on October 9.

The project marks a chilling new chapter for the 49-year-old actress. In the film, she plays a dual role as Ursula, the mother of 8-year-old Bela, and Other Mommy, a sinister entity that looks exactly like her and wants to take her place.

Her press tour made a stop at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ this week, and fans got a glimpse of the star before she ever hit the stage. A new backstage photo shared by a fan account shows Chastain looking polished and camera-ready ahead of her appearance.

In the image, Chastain poses in front of a lush floral wallpaper featuring cream and peach blooms on a deep green background. She stands with her arms confidently crossed, flashing a warm smile. She wears a sleek black turtleneck top with long sleeves, keeping the outfit simple and sophisticated. The minimalist styling allows her face and hair to take center stage.

Her blonde hair is styled into a sculpted, vintage-inspired bob with soft waves, paired with a bold red lip. The combination gives the look a distinctly Old-Hollywood feel, a striking contrast to the unsettling character she plays on screen.

jessica chastain stuns at jimmy kimmel live tonight! 🥰 https://t.co/fdGlmNHexs

— allie (@tinychastain) October 8, 2026

Once on air, Chastain gave viewers a taste of the film’s most talked-about element. She demonstrated the eerie Other Mommy smile for Jimmy Kimmel, who then tried to copy the expression himself.

A clip of the moment went viral online, with fans noting how she appeared to tear up while holding the face. Chastain has explained that she discovered the expression while preparing for the role.

At a Q&A on the Universal lot attended by CinemaBlend, she shared that she tried the face on a five-year-old in the makeup trailer. The child screamed, and she and Savage knew they had found Other Mommy. Universal has since released a behind-the-scenes featurette titled ‘A New Face of Fear’ that dives into how she shaped the character.

“I’M A TRAINED ACTOR” jessica chastain cries while doing the other mommy scary face 😈 https://t.co/izj4IG0JPu

— best of jessica chastain (@bestofchastains) October 8, 2026

The film adapts Josh Malerman’s 2024 novel ‘Incidents Around the House’, with a screenplay by Nathan Elston. James Wan produces through Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Arabella Olivia Clark plays Bela, while Jay Duplass plays her father. The cast also includes Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed and Karen Allen.

Its trailer famously rattled audiences when it played before ‘The Odyssey’, turning the film into one of the season’s most buzzed-about horror releases. The role marks a full-circle moment for Chastain in the genre. Years ago, she starred in Andy Muschietti’s ‘Mama’, playing an adult protecting 2 girls from a supernatural presence.

This time, she gets to be both the protector and the threat. The Juilliard-trained actress, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’, has also appeared in ‘It Chapter Two’.

New trailer for ‘OTHER MOMMY’, starring Jessica Chastain and Jessica Chastain. The film follows a young girl who is threatened by a sinister demon that looks exactly like her mother. In theaters on October 9. https://t.co/Xwu3FI6pYz

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026

Fans responded to the backstage photo with plenty of heart-eyes emojis and compliments. Many praised the retro hair and red lip combination as one of her best press tour looks.

Others enjoyed the contrast between her glamorous backstage appearance and the creepy face she showed off just moments later. With ‘Other Mommy’ opening this week, her promotional run is clearly building to a big finish.

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