Amanda Seyfried’s The Testament of Ann Lee Trailer Just Dropped and It’s Serving Holy Intensity
Parijat Ghosh 
Amanda Seyfried is back, and this time she’s trading her Mamma Mia! mic for a bonnet and a Bible. Searchlight Pictures just dropped the first trailer for The Testament of Ann Lee, and wow — it’s giving spiritual chaos, historical tension, and that signature Seyfried intensity.
The movie follows the true story of Ann Lee, the 18th-century English religious leader who founded The Shakers — a Christian movement that believed in equality between men and women, celibacy, and communal living. Yep, they were basically history’s first minimalists — but with a lot more dancing and divine visions.
The story that shakes
The trailer opens on Seyfried’s Ann, walking through misty fields as haunting hymns rise in the background. She’s tired but determined — a woman trying to find God and rebuild her faith in a world ruled by men. What follows are glimpses of miracles, persecution, and revolution — all wrapped in candlelight and quiet fury.
Ann’s faith becomes both her weapon and her burden. “If God speaks through me,” she says in one piercing line, “then listen not to my voice, but to His.” Cue goosebumps.
The team behind the vision
Directed by Mona Fastvold (The World to Come), the film looks visually stunning — muted tones, ethereal lighting, and emotional close-ups that could make even a skeptic cry. Fastvold co-wrote the script with Daniel Blumberg, who also composed the film’s haunting score.
Blumberg’s music turns Shaker hymns into moody, cinematic moments — think traditional worship meets A24 vibes. Together, they create an atmosphere that’s both spiritual and unsettling.
A performance with soul
Amanda Seyfried is said to deliver one of her most powerful roles yet. After The Dropout, where she played tech scammer Elizabeth Holmes, Seyfried clearly knows how to embody complex women. But this time, she channels something deeper — loss, grief, and resilience.
In interviews, she admitted that portraying Ann’s pain, especially the loss of her children, was emotionally brutal. “It wasn’t just about faith — it was about surviving heartbreak,” she shared. That emotional rawness might just put her in the running for another Oscar nod.
The cast and festival buzz
The supporting cast includes Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, and Christopher Abbott, each bringing quiet strength and nuance to the historical drama.
The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it earned a 15-minute standing ovation — yes, fifteen. Seyfried reportedly cried as the audience applauded her portrayal of Ann Lee’s spiritual awakening. Critics praised the film’s mix of realism and mysticism, calling it “a portrait of faith in conflict with humanity.”
The Testament of Ann Lee releases in theaters on December 25, 2025 — a perfectly ironic Christmas release for a movie about faith, grief, and divine rebellion. So, if you’re into haunting period dramas with emotional firepower and feminist undertones, this might just be your next cinematic sermon.
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