Amanda Seyfried throws herself, body and soul, into ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’

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Faith and religious belief are invisible by nature, making them hard to portray in film. However, “The Testament of Ann Lee,” a film about the founder of the Shakers who brought the movement from England to America in the 1700s, successfully makes the spiritual world tangible through dance and music. The result is a unique and truly impressive film experience.

Mona Fastvold directed this film, co-writing the script with her partner, Brady Corbet. This project follows their previous collaboration, Corbet’s “The Brutalist.” Fastvold and Corbet have consistently created detailed and immersive historical stories – including Fastvold’s “The World to Come” and Corbet’s “The Childhood of a Leader” and “Vox Lux” – all while working with surprisingly small budgets. Their continued partnership results in a diverse and captivating collection of films.

However, “Ann Lee” isn’t a continuation of “The Brutalist Part II,” and director Emma Fastvold clearly has her own distinct vision. She’s particularly interested in how society has often doubted women, dismissing their power and worth by trying to force them into narrow, predetermined roles. Both the film “Ann Lee” and the character of Ann Lee actively challenge and break free from these expectations.

Movies

Following his Oscar win for “The Brutalist,” the English composer is now working on a musical about the founder of the Shakers, and he’s collaborating closely with actress Amanda Seyfried on the project.

Amanda Seyfried delivers a powerful performance as Ann Lee, a woman devastated by the loss of four children who distances herself from her unsympathetic husband. This loss sparks a spiritual awakening, leading her to believe that abstaining from intimacy brings her closer to God. As her unique beliefs develop, she gains a small following, and her devoted brother, Lewis Pullman, passionately spreads her message, helping their community grow. The film, told in three parts, traces the origins of the Shakers, from their beginnings in Manchester, England, through their difficult voyage across the Atlantic, and finally to their establishment in America.

The dance sequences are captivating, featuring dynamic and precisely choreographed movements that fill the screen. Director Zachary Wray, alongside choreographer Celia Rowlson-Hall, composer Daniel Blumberg, and cinematographer William Rexer, have crafted a unique style of dance and music that feels both real and dreamlike.

Worship through song and dance feels deeply physical – you experience it with your whole body, not just by watching or listening. Each dance is unique, but also carefully contributes to the unfolding story, vividly creating settings like a grand home, a ship’s deck, a forest, or a community meeting place.

Seyfried’s powerful and dedicated performance is what truly makes “The Testament of Ann Lee” work. She’s proving to be an incredibly versatile actress, as evidenced by her recent roles in everything from the thriller “The Housemaid” to the musical “Les Misérables,” and critically acclaimed performances in “Mank” and “The Dropout.” She’s also charming and engaging in interviews. In this film, Seyfried skillfully portrays Ann Lee’s inner struggles and pain, as well as the joy she finds in her faith.

Awards

Amanda Seyfried, the director Mona Fastvold, choreographer Celia Rowlson-Hall, and cinematographer William Rexer share insights into how they transformed the beliefs of the Shakers into a vibrant and unconventional musical experience.

Despite receiving 10 Academy Award nominations, “The Brutalist” stands in contrast to “The Testament of Ann Lee,” which hasn’t made the cut in several expected categories like score, original song, and cinematography. This serves as a good reminder that a film’s value isn’t determined by awards. Even if a deserving film isn’t recognized by voters, its quality and impact can still endure. The powerful story of “Ann Lee” will likely be remembered long after this awards season has passed.

Throughout the film, Seyfried repeatedly reaches out with open arms – a gesture that has become a defining image for the movie’s marketing. This reaching embodies the film’s core theme: a yearning for something just beyond reach, or perhaps even nonexistent. Similarly, director Fastvold ambitiously tackled a large-scale project, and in doing so, created something truly unique and special.

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2026-01-08 22:31