A recommendation: The Testament of Ann Lee is a Must See

“A place for everything and everything in its place.” All hail the power and glory of The Testament of Ann Lee. How can anyone watch this and not think it's astounding?! It’s a real must see. I’ve been recommending it and talking about it non-stop since I first saw the film at its world premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival last fall. Amanda Seyfried deserves all the awards for her performance, alas they didn’t even nominated her for an Oscar. A shame! A huge snub! But this won’t stop me from talking about it anyway. The Brutalist was my #1 film of last year (Si apre in una nuova finestra) and as Brady & Mona's follow-up I'm not surprised this film made my Top 10 of 2025 (Si apre in una nuova finestra). It’s now playing in theaters nationwide and if you can have a chance to catch it on the big screen it’s a must watch. A proper thrilling, immersive, original, unforgettable big screen experience - shot on film and projected on 70mm film in select locations. I’ve been raving about The Testament of Ann Lee since I emerged from my first viewing (my original review (Si apre in una nuova finestra)) and it left me floored on my second viewing, too. All of the stunning musical numbers are inspired by real Shaker hymns and chants, infused with modern composition. It's a musical that doesn't really feel like a musical, which is not an easy thing to accomplish. The musical numbers are integrated right into each scene as if this what the Shakers would be doing at this moment anyway right in the middle of their work day, dancing as part of their daily chores & religious activities. This film absolutely deserves its place in cinema history alongside The Brutalist. These films are two defining modern cinematic experiences and I believe we'll still be talking about both of them, and both filmmakers, for decades to come.

(Si apre in una nuova finestra)

Amanda Seyfried stars as the titular Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, proclaimed as the female Christ by her followers. The film depicts her establishment of a utopian society in America and the Shakers' worship through song and dance, based on real events (and real songs). Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Mona Fastvold and co-written by Mona Fastvold with Brady Corbet. Searchlight Pictures picked it up after premiering at Venice and playing at TIFF & London & Beyond Fest as well. However, it must be stated: this film is not about religion or a cult! It's a ravishing story about freedom and feminism and equality. And how Ann Lee's desire to create a utopian world of equality and simplicity. Contributor Tamara Khodova wrote an article praising the film and encouraging Academy Awards voters to keep their eye on it and give it some awards: How Did They Miss This? 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Deserves Better (Si apre in una nuova finestra). It definitely deserves more. But even if it won’t win any Oscars this year, it deserves to be seen and appreciated and praised and discussed anyway. It’s about so much more than religion. It’s about so much more than one woman trying to deal with trauma and escape the oppression of patriarchy. And there’s beauty in every last frame, in every last performance, in every last song and dance. My favorite song (other than “Hunger and Thirst”) is the hilarious “John’s Running Song” when her devoted follower John (played by David Cale) follows his spiritual instincts to lead him to a spot in upstate New York where they create the village of Niskayuna. This scene and so many others I can never forget about. I sincerely hope The Testament of Ann Lee has as much of an impact on everyone else as it did on me.

For more info on the film and where to watch, visit the official site (Si apre in una nuova finestra).