Walking into The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Mona Fastvold, I was an absolute blank slate. Like many people, my only point of reference for the “Shakers” was high-end, minimalist furniture. I knew of them, but I didn’t know the story behind it. To find out that this entire religious movement was spearheaded by a woman – and a remarkably resilient one at that – was my first major surprise.
However, the real head-scratcher for me was the doctrine of celibacy. As a modern viewer, hearing that a religious sect requires total abstinence immediately raises a practical question: How do they keep their numbers growing? I spent a good portion of the first act wondering if I had missed something. But as the film progresses and finally reaches those haunting title cards at the end, the truth is revealed: they don’t.
There is a profound, almost tragic irony in watching this community work so hard to build a utopia while knowing they are essentially a one-generation faith. The film does an excellent job of showing the difficulty of recruitment versus the natural growth of raising children in a faith. It makes the ending feel quite somber when you realize how few Shakers are left in the world today. It’s a fascinating study of a group that chose spiritual purity over biological survival, a concept that felt entirely alien to me but was handled with great respect by the filmmakers.
Amanda Seyfried: A Career-Defining Performance
There is no doubt about it – the absolute standout of the film is Amanda Seyfried. While she has had a string of great roles lately (she is incredible in The Housemaid), her portrayal of Mother Ann Lee is on an entirely different level. She has a demanding, almost magnetic presence that fills every frame. You just cannot look away from her.
As a mother myself, I found her performance to be deep, relatable, and phenomenal. The film doesn’t shy away from the trauma that informed Ann Lee’s views on the sins of the flesh – specifically the heartbreaking sequences involving the loss of her children. Seeing her sob through those moments made me sob right along with her. Seyfried manages to balance the holy aspect of the character with a raw, bleeding humanity. She isn’t just a stoic religious figure; she is a grieving woman trying to make sense of a cruel world. Something a lot of people can relate to.
Seyfried gives her all to this role, especially in the physical sequences. Whether she is preaching, shaking, or singing, there is a ferocity in her eyes that makes you understand why people would follow her across an ocean. It is her performance that makes the movie as entertaining as it is; without her at the center, the slower moments would have been unbearable.
The Supporting Cast Is Underused But Effective
I was thrilled to see Christopher Abbott and Lewis Pullman in The Testament of Ann Lee, but I’ll admit I felt they were both a bit underused. Abbott plays Ann’s husband, Abraham, and his presence is heavy and complicated. His absence during parts of the film makes narrative sense – given the trajectory of their marriage and her move toward celibacy – but his intensity is always a welcome addition to the screen. Lewis Pullman, playing Ann’s brother William, was the real highlight of the supporting cast for me. I was particularly taken with his singing.
Going into the movie, I didn’t realize it was a musical. I expected a period drama with perhaps a few hymns, but it is much more of a musical experience than the marketing let on. I would have loved to see Lewis Pullman’s character expanded further, as he felt like the emotional bridge between Ann’s divine visions and the reality of their small community. Thomasin McKenzie also provides a grounded, steady presence as a disciple, though, like the men, she often feels like she’s orbiting Seyfried’s sun.
The Jarring & Unsettling Rhythm of Prayer
The musical sequences in The Testament of Ann Lee are unlike anything I’ve seen in a traditional Hollywood musical. The songs, composed by Daniel Blumberg, are repetitive and, frankly, quite strange. There were moments where the lyrics were so literal or rhythmic that they actually made me laugh. However, once you understand that these aren’t show tunes but are intended to accompany the prayer movements, they make a lot more sense.
Speaking of the prayers, the first few times the characters began to shake was incredibly jarring. It’s unsettling to watch a group of people lose control of their bodies in unison. As someone who is not religious at all, seeing this as a method of connecting to a higher being felt bizarre.
However, the film is immersive enough that you eventually get used to it. You stop seeing it as weird and start seeing it as a release of the immense pressure these characters are under. It is a physical manifestation of their faith, and while it might not be my cup of tea, the film successfully shows how it brought them happiness and a sense of belonging.
The Second Half Slows Down… A Lot
If I have one major critique, the pacing. The first half of the film is electric – learning about Ann’s life in Manchester, her visions, and the group’s migration to the New World. However, once they settle in America, the second half starts to drag. The story becomes very slow, focusing on the slow-burning tension with their neighbors. I’ll be honest: I started to lose interest during this middle stretch.
Thankfully, the third act arrives with a big event (no spoilers here) that jolts the film back to life. It brought the stakes back to the forefront and reminded me why I had become so invested in Ann’s success in the first place.
Overall Thoughts On The Testament of Ann Lee
The Testament of Ann Lee is a powerful, if occasionally drowsy, look at a woman who refused to be broken by her circumstances. She was incredibly strong, and regardless of whether you agree with her religious views, you have to admire her conviction.
It is a beautifully shot, expertly acted piece of cinema that teaches you something new while making you feel something deep. I walked in knowing only about furniture; I walked out with a profound respect for the Mother of the Shakers. Even with the pacing issues, it’s a solid recommendation from me.
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