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‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ Opens Christmas Day With Praise for Seyfried and Its Movement-Driven Vision

A movement-led biopic of Shaker founder Ann Lee uses music and choreography as primary storytelling.

Overview

  • Searchlight Pictures launches the film in select theaters on December 25, with the production shot on 70mm and select presentations expected in large-format exhibition.
  • Writer-director Mona Fastvold co-wrote with Brady Corbet, centering an 18th-century religious community across roughly four decades in just over two hours.
  • Reviews published today spotlight choreographer Celia Rowlson-Hall’s embodied rituals and Daniel Blumberg’s experimental score as defining elements.
  • Critics widely commend the craft and Amanda Seyfried’s lead performance, while noting compressed storytelling and thinner characterization beyond the protagonist.
  • Seyfried’s portrayal has already earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, reinforced by a concentrated press push with new interviews released this week.