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The Testament of Ann Lee
2025 137 min United States of America, United Kingdom, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary R 12+
★7.1
History, Drama, Music
Director: Mona Fastvold
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Description
The extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers, who preached gender and social equality and was revered by her followers as the female Christ.
Budget:
$10M
US Gross:
$2.52M
Worldwide:
$4.2M
Starring
Amanda Seyfried
Actor
Lewis Pullman
Actor
Thomasin McKenzie
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 2026
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Venice Film Festival 2025
— Golden Lion
Key opinion
The Testament of Ann Lee is a visually striking and ambitious biographical musical that explores the spiritual origins of the Shaker movement. While critics praise its formal audacity and thematic focus on faith, others find the narrative execution lacking in emotional depth and structural coherence.
| Production | The production design effectively reconstructs the 18th-century setting, creating an immersive and authentic atmosphere. | |
| Theme | The screenplay successfully frames Ann Lee’s religious movement as a nuanced challenge to traditional gender norms rather than a simple rejection of worldly pleasure. | |
| Acting | Critics are divided on Amanda Seyfried’s performance; some find her commitment anchors the film, while others argue her portrayal lacks the necessary emotional depth to convey true conviction. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the narrative structure are split, with some praising the film’s formal ambition while others feel the storytelling is repetitive, erratic, and ultimately lacks sufficient impact. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed as problematic, with viewers disagreeing on whether the film’s rhythm serves as a contemplative reflection or a disjointed hindrance to character development. |