The Real Story Behind 'The Testament Of Ann Lee'

How ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ Mirrors the Shaker Aesthetic

Director Mona Fastvoid breaks down how the ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ incorporates the history of the Shakers' aesthetic into the film.

The Real Story Behind 'The Testament Of Ann Lee'

Her followers called her "Mother Ann," but Ann Lee was born in Manchester, England, in 1736. She later moved to North American and established a community of Shakers, a sect within the larger Quaker faith. It was as the leader of the Shakers that Lee thrived as a charismatic, messianic figure.The role of Ann Lee in founding a religious movement has been little noticed for decades, but was thrust to the forefront of popular culture with the 2025 …

Shaken & Stirred: "The Testament of Ann Lee" DP William Rexer on Capturing Amanda Seyfried's Fearless Performance

Intimate and uninhibited, director Mona Fastvold’s (co-writer, executive producer, and 2nd unit director of The Brutalist) The Testament of Ann Lee is a devoted biopic about the unusual founder of the Shaker movement, Mother Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried). Considered a representative of God, Lee guided her offshoot of the Quakers into existence during a period of English Evangelical revival, but the group’s unrestrained dancing, curtailed sexual rela…

Amanda Seyfried in Saint Laurent at THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE Talking Pictures Event

The Testament of Ann Lee star Amanda Seyfried has been wearing a lot of black dresses while promoting the movie, which is a musical about the founder of

Marvelous Full Trailer for 'Testament of Ann Lee' with Amanda Seyfried

"You will go out and make our presence known." Searchlight Pictures has debuted the main official trailer for the gloriously astonishing film The Testament of Ann Lee, the wondrous creation by The Brutalist ilmmakers. This premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival (my review calling it a "Cinematic Revelation") and it's an absolute must watch. Searchlight already released this last year in December, with more theaters coming later in January & …