The Testament of Ann Lee

Revered by her followers, Ann Lee preaches gender and social equality as the founder of the devotional sect the Shakers.

The Testament of Ann Lee, Mona Fastvold

Amanda Seyfried dedication to embodying Ann Lee has a spellbinding charm that carries the film. The wide shots of the Shakers hypnotic choreography paired with Seyfried's angelic voice often made the film resemble a piece of revered religious art, however the transportive audio-visuals were not enough to distract from a disappointingly basic plot. Despite a committed cast, we’re never granted access to the Shakers’ inner lives, and without that emotional grounding, their mission fails to fully resonate with us.

★ ★ ★

Release Date: February 20th 2026
Director(s) Mona Fastvold
Written Mona Fastvold, Brady Corbet
Producer Mona Fastvold, Brady Corbet, Mark Lampert
Starring Amanda Seyfried, Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie Cinematography William Rexer
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Runtime: 136 minutes.