A New Musical Drama from Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried’s latest film, "The Testament of Ann Lee," has made a significant splash following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The sweeping musical drama received a rousing 15-minute standing ovation, marking a strong reception from audiences and critics alike. This positive response has led to Searchlight Pictures acquiring domestic distribution rights for the film, with plans to release it theatrically in 2025.
Directed by Mona Fastvold, the film stars Seyfried as Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers, a radical religious movement that emerged in the late 1700s. Lee, one of the few female religious leaders of the 18th century, and her followers were known for their ecstatic worship through song and movement. The cast also includes Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott, and Matthew Beard.
Fastvold shared her inspiration for the project, stating, "I was raised in a secular household, and yet Ann Lee's prophecies—however implausible—moved me deeply. Not because I share her faith, but because I recognize in her a yearning for justice, transcendence, and communal grace." She emphasized that Lee's radical pursuit of a self-fashioned utopia speaks to the creative impulse at the heart of all artistic endeavors: the urgent need to shape the world anew.
Critical Acclaim and Unique Approach
The film has garnered praise from critics, including a positive review from BroNews. Guy Lodge, a critic for the publication, highlighted the film's "enthralling, borderline-absurd musical numbers" and praised Seyfried's performance. He noted, "On paper, this might all sound quite bloodless and conceptual. In practice, it has an earnest, full-hearted sweep, in large part thanks to a performance of redoubtable commitment and nerve-deep feeling by Amanda Seyfried."
Seyfried's portrayal is described as far removed from the musical terrain of "Mamma Mia!" or "Les Misérables," yet she fully embraces her role with dedication and emotional depth.
Fastvold co-wrote the film with her partner, Brady Corbet. The two previously collaborated on "The Brutalist," a three-hour epic directed by Corbet. That film, acquired by A24 after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, received 10 Oscar nominations and earned $50 million globally. Fastvold’s other works include "The Sleepwalker" (2014) and "The World to Come" (2020).
Challenges in Production
During the official press conference for "The Testament of Ann Lee," Fastvold and Corbet discussed the challenges of financing the independent film on a budget of just $10 million. The story focuses on a lesser-known chapter of American history, making it a tough sell for traditional financiers.
Corbet admitted, "As you can imagine, the elevator pitch for 'Shaker musical' wasn't the easiest to get off the ground." Despite the lean budget, which is significantly lower than that of major studio films, Fastvold managed to create grand set pieces and elaborate musical numbers that bring Ann Lee’s story to life on the big screen.
Fastvold explained her vision, saying, "I thought Ann Lee deserved something grandiose and wonderful. How many stories have we seen about male icons on a grand scale, again and again and again? Can we not see one story about a woman like this?"
Looking Ahead
With its unique approach and powerful storytelling, "The Testament of Ann Lee" promises to be a standout film in 2025. As it prepares for its theatrical release, the film continues to generate excitement and anticipation among fans of both musical dramas and historical narratives.
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