The Testament of Ann Lee finds power in worship, not in pace.
‘The Testament of Ann Lee’, is the newest film from creative partners Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet. It is a fascinating musical approach to showcase the origins of the Shaker religious sect. Anchored by an incredible performance from Amanda Seyfried, it’s admirably crafted and impressive, even if it doesn’t always fully engage during its lengthy runtime.
Amanda Seyfried Carries the Film With Quiet Fire
The film follows Seyfried as Ann Lee. She is a spiritually driven woman whose own religious experience and visions help forge the “Shaking Quaker” movement, often referred to as the Shakers. Ann Lee’s followers see her as the female embodiment of Christ, and accompany her as she travels to the United States to spread their word amidst threats of persecution.
Seyfried is the film’s clear standout, as the whole picture sits upon her shoulders. She brings a quiet intensity and emotional clarity to Ann Lee, even amongst the ecstatic moments of worship through the film. Seyfried is on a really impressive run of consistently great performances, and ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ feels like all of her best talents coming together for the perfect role.
There are strong supporting performances from Lewis Pullman and Christopher Abbott in particular as Ann Lee’s brother and husband, respectively. Both have solid chemistry with Seyfried, and Abbott’s skills as a more villainous performer are on display. It’s also worth noting that Tim Blake Nelson shows up nearly halfway through the movie, and he just fits so perfectly in the world they created.
The Hymn-Driven Numbers Create Atmosphere, Not Standout Songs
The worship is mostly showcased through musical numbers, which composer Daniel Blumberg created using actual Shaker hymns. Seyfried is no stranger to musicals, and the numbers are well-performed and tonally consistent with the historical narrative. However, it’s hard to differentiate the musical numbers, resulting in no true standout – it’s more of just an interesting vibe.
Fastvold’s Direction Is Precise, Even When the Film Drifts
The film is very competently directed by Mona Fastvold. There’s a clear sense of intention behind every creative choice, which gives the movie a cohesive identity and makes it easy to respect, even when it doesn’t entirely captivate during some of the slower moments.
The pacing occasionally dulls the impact of moments that should feel more urgent or transcendent. There’s a sense that they could have gone further—either emotionally or musically—to leave a stronger impression.
Verdict
Ultimately, I wanted to love ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ but walked away only liking it. It’s thoughtful, well-performed, and clearly made with care, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights it seems to be aiming for despite some huge swings. Still, there’s more than enough here to recommend, especially Seyfried’s performance.
The Testament of Ann Lee releases in theater January 23, 2026.
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