Get ready for a cinematic experience unlike any other! Mona Fastvold's historical musical drama, 'The Testament Of Ann Lee,' starring Amanda Seyfried, is hitting theaters this Christmas and already sparking major Oscar conversations.

TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Busy Film Fan

  • Amanda Seyfried leads as Ann Lee, the enigmatic founder of the Shaker Movement, captivating audiences and critics.
  • From the acclaimed filmmakers behind 'The Brutalist,' this movie is a visually stunning, music-driven historical epic.
  • Catch 'The Testament of Ann Lee' in select theaters starting December 25, 2025, with special 70mm screenings available.

A Historical Tale That's Stirring Up Ecstatic Reactions

Imagine a film that receives a 15-and-a-half-minute standing ovation at its Venice International Film Festival premiere, yet also gets dubbed "Venice's Most WTF Movie" by some critics. That's the fascinating tightrope Mona Fastvold's 'The Testament of Ann Lee' is walking, promising a wildly unique and potentially polarizing cinematic event.

At its heart, the movie delves into the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee (played by Amanda Seyfried), the 18th-century British-born leader who founded the devotional sect known as the Shakers. Her followers believed her to be the female embodiment of Christ, and she championed gender and social equality, establishing a utopian society in America. It's a rich historical tapestry, brought to life with fervent musical worship and ecstatic dance.

Amanda Seyfried's Transformative Performance Is Generating Awards Heat

Leading the charge is Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried, whose portrayal of Ann Lee is already being lauded as a career-defining performance. Critics and festival-goers at Venice and Toronto couldn't stop praising her, and the industry is taking notice.

Variety's awards editor, Clayton Davis, is already predicting a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Seyfried. Her ability to convey Ann Lee's "optimism, compassion and life" within the film's unique structure has captured significant attention. This isn't Seyfried's first musical rodeo, having previously performed live during 'Les Misérables' (2012), and she brought that experience to 'Ann Lee,' singing many of her songs live on set while also recording separate versions for playback. This approach helped her "go through the journey" with the individual tunes until they felt "really lived in." Source: [Gold Derby, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' to compete in comedy/musical categories at the Golden Globes, October 30, 2025].

From the Minds Behind 'The Brutalist': A Singular Vision Unfolds

'The Testament of Ann Lee' marks a highly anticipated collaboration from writer/director Mona Fastvold and her co-writer/husband, Brady Corbet. This dynamic duo previously created 'The Brutalist,' which Corbet directed, earning widespread critical acclaim and an impressive 10 Academy Award nominations, winning three (Best Actor for Adrien Brody, Cinematography, and Original Score). It also secured three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture (Drama).

Their latest venture, with Fastvold in the director's chair, continues their tradition of bold American epics. IndieWire critic Jim Hemphill notes that 'Ann Lee' works beautifully as an allegory for "the struggles and passions of a 21st-century filmmaker," similar to 'The Brutalist's' themes. Source: [IndieWire, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Teaser Trailer: Mona Fastvold Delivers Another Epic About an American Iconoclast, November 6, 2025]. The film's musical heart beats with over a dozen original Shaker hymns, reimagined into "rapturous movements" by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg, who also scored 'The Brutalist.'

More Than Just a Musical: A Feast for the Senses

Don't expect a traditional Broadway-style musical. 'The Testament of Ann Lee' embraces a unique approach, transforming Shaker hymns into ecstatic, choreographic "movements." Celia Rowlson-Hall, known for her work on 'Vox Lux,' crafted the choreography, tasked with finding contemporary expressions for these historical devotional practices. She explained, "Because this a blend of so many forms, I felt the freedom to really go for it with the choreography. I wanted to lead the actors in the most truthful way through that, feeling Ann Lee's ecstatic nature of wanting to get closer to God." Source: [Gold Derby, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' to compete in comedy/musical categories at the Golden Globes, October 30, 2025].

Beyond the innovative musicality, the film is a visual spectacle. Cinematographer William Rexer shot on 35mm, with plans for 70mm blow-ups for its theatrical release. This choice creates a "sumptuous candlelit look" reminiscent of classical period pieces like Stanley Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon' or Caravaggio's paintings. Source: [IndieWire, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Teaser Trailer: Mona Fastvold Delivers Another Epic About an American Iconoclast, November 6, 2025]. With a budget comparable to 'The Brutalist' (reportedly around $10 million), Fastvold and production designer Samuel Bader have conjured a film of astonishing scale and detail.

Critical Reactions: A Divisive Yet Dazzling Spectacle

While the film garnered a stunning ovation at Venice, it also landed in the crosshairs of some critics, leading to a "love-it-or-hate-it" split. Damon Wise from Deadline described it as "a much warmer story of troubled genius, social torment, and escape" compared to 'The Brutalist,' highlighting Ann Lee's inherent optimism. Source: [Deadline, 'The Testament Of Ann Lee' Trailer: Amanda Seyfried Stars As Irrepressible Religious Leader In Mona Fastvold's Musical Epic, November 6, 2025]. IndieWire's David Ehrlich called it a "speculative, feverish, and altogether rapturous biopic." Source: [IndieWire, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Teaser Trailer: Mona Fastvold Delivers Another Epic About an American Iconoclast, November 6, 2025]. The film currently holds a Metacritic score of 77, indicating broad critical appreciation.

However, some reviews, while acknowledging its visual grandeur and mesmerizing choreography, note a "razor-thin" plot and a lack of "much depth to engage you with the characters fully." Source: [World of Reel, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' - Venice’s Most WTF Movie?, November 6, 2025]. This suggests a trade-off: viewers might forgo a conventional, character-driven narrative for an immersive, almost sensory experience. The film asks you to surrender to its atmosphere and ecstatic movements rather than dissect every plot point.

Example: My friend Mark, a film history buff, was initially wary of the "thin plot" critiques. He usually prefers a strong narrative hook. But after seeing the snippets of Seyfried's performance and the stunning cinematography in the trailer, he changed his tune. "It looks less like a movie to follow and more like one to feel," he mused. "Like an art installation you get lost in. I'm definitely seeking out a 70mm screening to get the full impact." This illustrates how the film's unique presentation can overcome traditional narrative expectations for adventurous arthouse goers.

The Ensemble Cast Supporting Seyfried

Seyfried is joined by a talented group of actors bringing this historical world to life:

  • Lewis Pullman
  • Thomasin McKenzie
  • Stacy Martin
  • Christopher Abbott
  • Tim Blake Nelson
  • Matthew Beard
  • Scott Handy
  • Viola Prettejohn
  • David Cale
  • Jamie Bogyo

Upcoming Release Dates and Awards Season Strategy

After being acquired by Searchlight Pictures, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' is set for a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. For the true cinephiles, select theaters will offer an immersive 70mm cut. The film will then roll out to UK cinemas on February 20, 2026. Following its theatrical run, expect to see it stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the US, and on Disney+ internationally sometime in 2026. Source: [What's On Disney Plus, Disney Has Released A Teaser Trailer For 'The Testament Of Ann Lee', November 6, 2025].

Searchlight is pushing 'The Testament of Ann Lee' hard for awards season, especially for Seyfried's performance. The film will specifically compete in the Golden Globes' comedy/musical categories, where two original songs from the film, "Clothed by the Sun" and "John’s Running Song" by Daniel Blumberg, will also be submitted for consideration. This strategic move could give the film a stronger footing in a less crowded field, potentially elevating its profile further as Oscar season heats up.

"'The Testament of Ann Lee' plays like a light yin to that film’s dark yang, telling a similar but much warmer story of troubled genius, social torment, and escape. Though she’s clearly some kind of fruitcake, Ann has optimism, compassion and life, which Fastvold reveals in a series of mesmerizing musical numbers taken from real Shaker scriptures."

— Damon Wise, Deadline

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

When does 'The Testament of Ann Lee' officially release? The film is set for a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. It will open in UK cinemas on February 20, 2026. Where can I watch 'The Testament of Ann Lee'? Initially, it will be in select theaters in the US and UK. After its theatrical window, it will be available to stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the US, and on Disney+ internationally, likely in 2026. What is 'The Testament of Ann Lee' rated? The official MPAA rating for 'The Testament of Ann Lee' has not yet been announced. We expect this information closer to the wide release date. How long is 'The Testament of Ann Lee'? The official runtime for the film has not yet been confirmed by the studio. Typically, this detail is released closer to the film's theatrical debut.

Sources

  • Variety, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Trailer: Amanda Seyfried Gets Best Actress Oscar Buzz in Religious Drama From 'The Brutalist' Filmmakers, Giana Levy, November 6, 2025.
  • Deadline, 'The Testament Of Ann Lee' Trailer: Amanda Seyfried Stars As Irrepressible Religious Leader In Mona Fastvold’s Musical Epic, Denise Petski, November 6, 2025.
  • IndieWire, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Teaser Trailer: Mona Fastvold Delivers Another Epic About an American Iconoclast, Jim Hemphill, November 6, 2025.
  • Playbill, Video/Photos: Amanda Seyfried Stars in New Teaser for THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE, Josh Sharpe, November 6, 2025.
  • Gold Derby, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' to compete in comedy/musical categories at the Golden Globes, Ethan Alter, October 30, 2025.
  • Dark Horizons, Trailer: 'The Testament Of Ann Lee', Garth Franklin, November 6, 2025.
  • Vulture, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Goes Full Stomp-Clap, Roxana Hadadi, November 6, 2025.
  • First Showing, Must See Teaser for 'The Testament of Ann Lee' with Amanda Seyfried, Alex Billington, November 6, 2025.
  • World of Reel, 'The Testament of Ann Lee' - Venice’s Most WTF Movie?, Jordan Ruimy, November 6, 2025.
  • What's On Disney Plus, Disney Has Released A Teaser Trailer For 'The Testament Of Ann Lee', Roger Palmer, November 6, 2025.