Mona Fastvold’s engrossing musical biopic starring Amanda Seyfried in an intense, demanding performance has just found a new streaming home in the UK. Also starring Lewis Pullman and Thomasin McKenzie, The Testament of Ann Lee is the movie that Seyfried reportedly gave up botox for so she could portray the titular 18th-century religious leader — and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before.
Premiered at Venice International Film Festival last September, the film, co-written by Fastvold and Brady Corbet, follows Ann Lee from her childhood in Manchester to her growing interest in Quaker beliefs and her becoming a leader of the Shakers sect, accompanying their prayers to spontaneous chants and movements.
The film, shot in 70mm and featuring musical numbers, follows Ann and her disciples, who believe that Jesus’s second coming would be a woman, as they preach amid abuse and skepticism, and move to America to settle down and spread their faith.
Released in US cinemas in December 2025 and in the UK in February this year, The Testament of Ann Lee has earned positive reviews, with particular praise for Seyfried’s turn as the protagonist.
Who is in The Testament of Ann Lee?
Searchlight Pictures
- Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee
- Lewis Pullman as William Lee, Ann’s brother
- Thomasin McKenzie as Mary Partington, Ann’s closest friend and the film’s narrator
- Matthew Beard as James Whittaker
- Christopher Abbott as Abraham Standerin, Ann’s husband
- Viola Prettejohn as Nancy Lee, Ann’s niece
- Stacy Martin as Jane Wardley
- Scott Handy as James Wardley
- David Cale as John Hocknell
- Jamie Bogyo as Richard Hocknell
- Tim Blake Nelson as Pastor Reuben Wright
- Daniel Blumberg as Deacon Talmadge Bishop
- Willem Van Der Vegt as Ann and William’s father
- Maria Sand as Ann and William’s mother
- Alexis Latham as Mr Cunningham
- Shannon Woodward as Mrs Cunningham
- Matti Boustedt as Captain Smith
What did critics say about The Testament of Ann Lee?
Searchlight Pictures
The Testament of Ann Lee received critical acclaim upon its Venice premiere, with the film currently having an approval rating of 86% from 211 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie also holds a Certified Fresh badge, reserved for films that have earned a score of 75% or higher with at least five reviews from top critics.
The film has been described as a “one-of-a-kind cinematic experience” (via Empire), “richly satisfying” (via Washington Post) and “one of the best and most daring” movie of the year (via CBC Radio).
Seyfried’s committed performance enhanced the film, with the Chicago Reader writing that the star “shines” as Ann Lee, “delivering a potent performance, her eyes lit with commanding devotion”.
Where can I watch The Testament of Ann Lee?
Searchlight Pictures
You can now watch Fastvold’s acclaimed movie on Disney+ UK.
While Disney+ no longer offers a free trial, the platform’s latest offer is a three-month subscription at a discounted price of £3.99 a month for the Standard with Ads plan. The offer is available to new and eligible returning subscribers, described in the service’s terms and conditions as subscribers with “no current active entitlement”.
Other Amanda Seyfried movies you can stream right now
Paramount
Disney+ and Netflix subscribers can watch Seyfried’s cult horror Jennifer’s Body, also starring Megan Fox as a high school girl who turns into a flesh-eating demon.
Also on Disney+ is Seyfried’s star-studded sci-fi dystopia In Time, set in a distant future where time has become the primary currency in an extremely literal sense.
On Netflix, Seyfried fans are spoiled for choice — alongside Jennifer’s Body, the platform hosts haunted house horror Things Heard & Seen, Hollywood biopic Mank, romantic drama Letters to Juliet, both Mamma Mia! and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and the star’s breakthrough film, Mean Girls.
The Testament of Ann Lee is streaming on Disney+.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
