The awards season buzz has been building for Amanda Seyfried’s performance in The Testament of Ann Lee. The Golden Globes and Critics Choice have nominated her for Best Actress already, but could the Oscars be next? Searchlight Pictures hopes so, and are hoping to ramp up momentum ahead of the wide release with a new trailer for this exhilarating religious musical experience.
Reuniting The Brutalist duo of Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet, The Testament of Ann Lee stars Seyfried as the titular head of the 18th-century Shaker movement, as she attempts to lead her religious sect in colonial America. Lee was proclaimed by some to be the female representation of God on earth, and often faced violent retribution for her beliefs.
The musical film is directed by Fastvold, having written the screenplay with her partner, Corbet. Fastvold earned critical acclaim for her previous film, 2020’s The World to Come. Composer Daniel Blumberg is back following his work on The Brutalist, as well.
Joining Seyfried in the cast are Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, Christoper Abbott, and Tim Blake Nelson.
SYNOPSIS: “The Testament of Ann Lee” is a musical retelling of the life of Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Shaker religious movement, and believed to be the female incarnation of Christ. The film depicts the Shakers’ quest to build a utopian society based on their beliefs. Their worship is characterized by enthusiastic song and dance, which is central to the film’s musical and choreographed elements. It explores themes of religious persecution, gender equality, and the struggle for belonging and communal grace.
Searchlight Pictures opens The Testament of Ann Lee nationwide on January 23rd. You can check out my review here.
