The Testament of Ann Lee Movie Review

​“The Testament of Ann Lee” is an intense movie with a noteworthy performance by Amanda Seyfried, who is completely devoted to this role.

For the film, Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet (who co-wrote the incredible “The Brutalist”), take us back to the 18th century to meet the founder of the Shakers, Ann Lee (Seyfried). There’s a lot to this, and the story and design are so well done that they are transported in time. The singing helps. Who are the Shakers? The Shakers live their life based on three things, which are fully realized here. Those three things are communal living, celibacy, and confessing your sins and love to show their love to God by dancing. Dancing is a strong word. More like, shaking, hence the name. They “dance,” scream some, chant, and frolic.

Ann Lee, a woman ahead of her time, doesn’t like sex; there’s a reason for that. However, she asks everyone to abstain from sex. That is asking too much. She, what remains of her followers, and her brother William, played by Lewis Pullman, flee England for the New World. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump across the scary ocean, is all. The idea of a woman preaching didn’t sit well with people in England, so they had to take to the sea. Their leader will create a new way of life for them, and they accept that she believes herself to be a manifestation of Christ. She tells of her heavenly visions, and they are enamored.

She meets and falls in love with a blacksmith named Abraham, played by Christopher Abbott. He reminds her of her father. Sex is a part of this marriage. The kind of sex that includes pain. Is this godly? Before the age of one, all four of her children died. This breaks her mentally. She doesn’t sense God anymore. She’s convinced that he has forsaken her because of sexual sin. This part of the story, watching her go through these deaths, is tragic. She sings that she hungers and thirsts for true righteousness.

The production design is meticulous, and the sets are extremely well done. It’s dark, macabre, and the lighting was sinister. The score is ominous. This could rub some audience members the wrong way, but if you like a good cult-like genre story, you’ll dig this. It’s a gorgeous film, and once you start watching, your faith in it won’t waver, much like those closest to her. The performances were too unbelievable to ignore. Thomasin McKenzie’s narration is essential.