The Testament of Ann Lee Review: A Fierce, Hypnotic Religious Epic That Redefines the Historical Biopic

Some films don’t ask for your attention — they command it. The Testament of Ann Lee is one of those rare works. Directed by Mona Fastvold and anchored by a ferocious, career-defining performance from Amanda Seyfried, this 2025 historical musical drama doesn’t just revisit the past — it resurrects it with sweat, breath, hymn, and raw conviction.

Premiering in competition at the Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion, The Testament of Ann Lee has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about prestige films of the year. With a towering 91 Metascore and critics hailing it as a “magnificent religious epic” and a “startling work of genius,” this is not polite awards-season fare. It’s bold. It’s divisive. And it’s unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a safe, conventional historical biopic, look elsewhere. If you want cinema that burns, read on.

What Is The Testament of Ann Lee About?

Set across 18th-century England and colonial America, the film charts the rise of Ann Lee — a working-class woman who transforms personal tragedy into spiritual revolution. Out of grief, persecution, and unwavering belief, Ann becomes the founding leader of what would later be known as the Shakers, a radical Christian sect built on communal living, ecstatic worship, celibacy, and — most controversially for its time — gender equality.

Ann’s followers come to see her not merely as a prophet, but as the female embodiment of Christ. That belief draws devotion… and violent backlash. As religious persecution intensifies, Ann must protect her growing community while holding together a fragile utopian vision in a world determined to crush it.

This isn’t history as dusty reenactment. It’s history as lived experience — chaotic, embodied, and spiritually volatile.

Amanda Seyfried’s Performance Is the Beating Heart of the Film

Let’s be blunt: this is Amanda Seyfried’s best performance. Full stop.

Her Ann Lee is not softened for modern sensibilities. She’s intense, commanding, and at times unsettling. Seyfried plays Ann as a woman possessed — by faith, by grief, by divine certainty. Critics have described her performance as “feral,” and that’s not an insult; it’s the highest compliment this role could receive.

There are moments where she barely speaks, yet her presence dominates the frame. Her eyes alone convey unshakable zeal, doubt, tenderness, and fury. It’s no surprise her work here has already earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nominations — and it would be shocking if the conversation ended there.

This isn’t a performance designed to make you like Ann Lee. It’s designed to make you believe in her.

A “Folk Musical” That Refuses Convention

One of the boldest creative choices in The Testament of Ann Lee is its structure. This is not a traditional musical, and it’s certainly not a standard narrative drama.

Fastvold reimagines Shaker hymns as a kind of spiritual pulse running through the film. Songs emerge organically — sung, stomped, whispered, and shouted — creating a trancelike atmosphere that feels closer to ritual than performance. The music doesn’t interrupt the story; it is the story.

This approach won’t work for everyone. The film prioritizes mood, repetition, and spiritual immersion over plot mechanics. It’s a “vibes movie,” yes — but intentionally so. The repetition mirrors religious devotion. The lack of neat narrative arcs reflects the lived chaos of faith.

Strong opinion? This choice is exactly why the film works. A cleaner, more traditional structure would have betrayed its subject.

Cinematography That Feels Like a Living Relic

Shot on 35 mm and 70 mm film, The Testament of Ann Lee looks and feels tactile. You can almost smell the wood, sweat, and soil. The grainy texture and natural light give the visuals a “magic-hour” realism that digital cinematography simply can’t replicate.

Fastvold frequently holds on faces, bodies in motion, communal rituals, and landscapes that feel both oppressive and holy. The camera doesn’t observe from a distance — it participates. You’re not watching the Shakers; you’re standing among them.

This visual approach turns even quiet scenes into something visceral. It’s patient, yes — but never lazy.

Supporting Cast: Quietly Excellent, Never Distracting

While Seyfried towers over the film, the supporting cast adds crucial texture:

• Thomasin McKenzie brings vulnerability and emotional grounding as Mary Partington.

• Lewis Pullman plays Ann’s brother William with restrained loyalty and internal conflict.

• Christopher Abbott delivers a haunting turn as Ann’s husband, embodying quiet resentment and confusion.

• Stacy Martin and Tim Blake Nelson round out the ensemble with performances that feel lived-in rather than theatrical.

No one overplays. No one competes with the film’s tone. That discipline matters.

Why Critics Are Divided — And Why That’s a Good Thing

Despite near-universal praise, The Testament of Ann Lee is not without criticism. Some reviewers argue that the second half feels stretched, drifting rather than escalating. Others note that the film resists traditional storytelling satisfaction.

Here’s the hard truth: those complaints are valid — and irrelevant.

This film isn’t interested in narrative efficiency. It’s interested in spiritual endurance. Faith doesn’t move quickly. Communities don’t form cleanly. Utopias don’t arrive with tidy conclusions.

If you need constant plot propulsion, this film may test your patience. But if you surrender to its rhythm, it rewards you with something far rarer: cinematic transcendence.

Release Dates and Where to Watch The Testament of Ann Lee

• United States: Limited theatrical release began December 25, 2025

• United Kingdom: Theatrical release scheduled for February 20, 2026

• Formats: Select screenings in 70 mm and IMAX

• Streaming: No official date yet, but as a Searchlight Pictures release, it’s expected to stream on Disney+ or Hulu following its theatrical window

• Physical Media: DVD and Blu-ray are tentatively expected in February 2026

If you have the chance to see this in 70 mm, do it. This is a film built for the big screen.

Final Verdict: A Fearless Film That Won’t Meet You Halfway

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

The Testament of Ann Lee is demanding, hypnotic, and unapologetically strange. It doesn’t explain itself. It doesn’t comfort you. It asks you to listen, to watch, and to feel — and then decide what belief means to you.

Amanda Seyfried delivers a performance that will define this phase of her career. Mona Fastvold confirms herself as a filmmaker willing to take real risks in an industry terrified of them. And the result is a historical epic that feels alive, dangerous, and deeply human.

This isn’t a movie for everyone.

But for those willing to meet it on its own terms — it’s unforgettable.