The Testament of Ann Lee

2025

Biography / Drama / History / Musical

12
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 82% · 198 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 82% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 4189 4.2K

new york city christianity celibacy musical evangelical christianity 18th century

Plot summary

Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, proclaimed as the female Christ by her followers. Depicts her establishment of a utopian society and the Shakers’ worship through song and dance, based on real events.

Director

Mona Fastvold Photo
Mona Fastvold

Top cast

Amanda Seyfried Photo
Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee
David Cale Photo
David Cale as John Hocknell
Lewis Pullman Photo
Lewis Pullman as William Lee
Thomasin McKenzie Photo
Thomasin McKenzie as Mary Partington
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.23 GB
1280*534
English 2.0
R
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 16 min
Seeds 100
2.52 GB
1920*800
English 5.1
R
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 16 min
Seeds 100
2.28 GB
1920*800
English 5.1
R
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 16 min
Seeds 100

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by 6 / 10

Technically Superb, but Emotionally Distancing

The movie looks beautiful. The art direction and cinematography are of the highest order. The acting is also excellent. The use of music, both in the score and the "songs" used to emphasize deeply felt religious experiences, really works too. Those superb elements exist in this film.But the story is not emotionally captivating. I truly get the sense of earnest religious revelation, which is contrasted with horrid religious persecution in the country where religious freedom is theoretically one of the highest values. It also did not escape me that this is also very much like the times we live in now. But I never felt any real connection with the characters or the story.. The film emotionally distanced me from truly caring. While I can intellectually appreciate the excellent technical elements, and was horrified by some of the things that happen, I did not really like the movie.
Reviewed by 8 / 10

Unique

It is impressive that after almost 130 years, the artform of cinema can still produce something never previously seen that can be groundbreaking, which is what THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE is. Amanda Seyfried's performance dominates and carries the endeavor. While watching this movie is always engaging, the unique experience nonetheless feels emotionally detached. Although clearly all involved took the subject matter seriously, the movie also can be humorously absurd, but audiences are unlikely to laugh. Audiences should be amazed at the craftmanship on display in this intellectually-rewarding creation, but some likely will leave bewildered by the experience.
Reviewed by 7 / 10

whole lotta shakin'

Greetings again from the darkness. One might believe that celibate communal living and worship would have been an easier sell in the 1780's than today, yet this film from writer-director Mona Fastvold (THE WORLD TO COME, 2020) and co-writer Brady Corbet (THE BRUTALIST, 2024) proves otherwise. It turns out the second coming and extreme shaking while worshipping requires a bit more faith than many possess. The film is based on the true story of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers who, along with a small contingency, emigrated to the U. S. from England to spread their beliefs.That small group of believers who followed Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried) included her brother William (Lewis Pullman), her husband Abraham (Christopher Abbott), and young Mary (Thomasin McKenzie), among others. Their life is not easy and recruiting a congregation proves challenging. Ann never loses faith and consistently stays true to her beliefs, allowing all to follow ... well, except for her husband Abraham who doesn't much buy into the pure life with no sexual relations requirement. Ann believes that this was Adam and Eve's sin and is convinced a pure existence is the way to righteous living.Probably the most unique thing about the film (other than the actual subjects of Ann and the Shakers) is the manner in which the hymns/songs are choreographed and performed. This makes for such an odd visual and there are quite a few of these moments. Tim Blake Nelson plays a pastor who crosses paths with Ann, providing an interesting sequence (as he typically does). The choreography is the work of Celia Rowlson-Hall and the music comes from Oscar winner Daniel Blumberg. Ms. Seyfried delivers yet another standout performance, although this movie certainly won't be to everyone's taste. It's a long film that's not easy to relate to. Ann Lee saw herself as the female incarnation of God, and the film attempts to show how some believed her.Opens in theaters on January 23, 2026.
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