Amanda Seyfried on Embracing Wild Side to Portray Shakers Founder Ann Lee: “I’ve Never Been Unleashed”
Amanda Seyfried delivers a striking and transformative performance in The Testament of Ann Lee, a historical drama musical that premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Helmed by director Mona Fastvold, the film explores the life of Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, an 18th-century religious sect known for its radical beliefs, ecstatic worship, and pursuit of equality.
A Unique Blend of History, Music, and Spirituality
The Testament of Ann Lee defies conventional genre labels. It’s at once a deeply human story, a religious biopic, and a musical—though not in the traditional theatrical sense. The film vividly conveys the Shakers’ ecstatic worship practices, including their ritual shaking, singing, and dancing, infusing the narrative with a powerful physical and spiritual energy that captivates viewers.
Director Mona Fastvold reveals that though she was raised secular, Ann Lee’s story resonated with her profoundly due to its themes of justice, creativity, and the desire to build a utopian community. The film celebrates Ann Lee’s tenacity and vision in a male-dominated society, highlighting her role as a fiercely defiant woman who challenged the norms of her time.
From Manchester to the New World
The film traces Ann Lee’s journey from her upbringing in 18th-century Manchester, England, through her migration with followers to New York State, where the Shakers sought religious freedom. It portrays key aspects of her life—her troubled family relations, particularly with her father; the loss of her children; and her rise as Mother Ann, considered by followers as the Second Coming of Christ.
Central to the story is the Shakers’ rejection of traditional societal values, notably their insistence on celibacy, communal living, pacifism, and equality, which put them at odds with broader Puritan and colonial American society. The film does not shy away from exploring difficult topics such as slavery and latent homosexuality within the community, offering a progressive perspective unusual for historical dramas.
A Visual and Musical Feast
Shot on 70mm film in Budapest, the movie’s visuals draw inspiration from classical painters like Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio. These painterly compositions combine with dynamic editing and choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall to make the Shakers’ worship scenes both ecstatic and deeply human.
The musical score by Daniel Blumberg and the choreography immerse the audience in the sensory, emotional experience of the Shakers’ rituals. A particularly striking sequence set aboard the ship to America uses innovative editing techniques to portray different times of day, creating a mesmerizing sense of movement and passage.
A Defining Role for Amanda Seyfried
Seyfried’s portrayal is the heart of the film, defined by a balance of angelic grace and fierce determination. She brings Mother Ann Lee to life with raw emotion and vivid realism, making the historical figure accessible and compelling for modern audiences. The supporting cast including Thomasin McKenzie as Ann’s sister and Lewis Pullman as her brother, complements Seyfried’s powerful lead with nuanced performances.
The film’s serious tone is sometimes lightened by moments of whimsy and dark humor, adding depth and texture. It explores universal themes of acceptance, struggle, and spiritual longing with sensitivity and artistic finesse.