The Testament of Ann Lee – REVIEW

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The recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor initially led some to believe it was connected to a controversial book. However, it was actually the story of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, that led to his arrest. Lee, who lived around 1736, was considered by her followers to be the second coming of Christ. She established the Shaker movement in Manchester, England, which emphasized hard work and complete abstinence from sexual relations – a lifestyle our editor’s wife enthusiastically supports (and has threatened to use against him – Ed).

Ann Lee quickly attracted devoted followers to her movement, believing she was destined to create a new society in America. For people living in 1700s Manchester, the promise of a better life was incredibly appealing—many would have eagerly joined if the destination had been somewhere like Barbados. Ann Lee, along with her husband Abraham (played by Christopher Abbot) and brother William (played by Lewis Pullman), traveled to the United States to spread her message and build this new community.

The film frequently depicts the group engaging in fervent worship through song and dance, including intense physical displays and ecstatic speech, which often feels like overwhelming emotional release. These scenes, along with the entire film, are expertly choreographed and visually stunning. The story shows how the group established a strong community in America before the start of a revolution, and how that community eventually began to crumble.

Mona Fastwold, an Oscar nominee for her screenplay of ‘The Brutalist’, directs and co-writes this complex film. While Amanda Seyfried delivers a strong performance, her character’s opposition to slavery feels underdeveloped, shown only in a single, impassioned outburst. The film presents an interesting contrast between her character’s early sexual repression and later acceptance of BDSM. However, condensing Ann Lee’s life – spanning over forty years – into two hours, and relying heavily on voiceover narration and dance sequences, leaves little room to fully explore the challenges and nuances of Ann Lee’s role as a spiritual leader. Though ambitious and visually striking with its painterly, NeoClassical style, the film’s broad appeal may be limited, and it’s difficult for viewers to connect with Ann Lee herself.

Here’s the trailer……

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2026-02-24 03:23