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Mona Fastvold’s ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ Opens to Divided Reviews

The 18th‑century Shaker leader’s story arrives as an abstract, music‑driven biopic that foregrounds Amanda Seyfried’s performance.

Overview

  • The film begins its theatrical rollout on March 13, 2026, drawing immediate critical attention for its unconventional approach.
  • Written by Fastvold with Brady Corbet, the UKUS production stars Amanda Seyfried alongside Thomasin McKenzie and Lewis Pullman.
  • The story follows Ann Lee’s rise to lead the Shakers, a celibate communal movement that worships through song and dance.
  • Formally, the movie builds its biography around extended choreographic and musical sequences drawn from Shaker hymns and stylized staging.
  • Reviews praise the visual audacity and Seyfried’s intense, embodied turn, while criticizing narrative thinness and psychological opacity; Fastvold also says financing the project faced widespread industry disinterest.