The Testament of Ann Lee
The Testament of Ann Lee (2025) is an epic historical musical drama directed by Mona Fastvold. The film chronicles the extraordinary life of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker Movement, from her origins in 18th-century England to her establishment of a utopian religious community in pre-Revolutionary America. Starring Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the movie explores themes of spiritual fervor, gender equality, and the radical practices of the Shakers, including their ecstatic worship through song and dance and their controversial vow of celibacy. It is an experimental and intense film, capturing both the spiritual ecstasy and the personal agony of Ann Lee's quest to create a more equitable society. The film is intended for mature audiences due to its graphic depictions of violence, sexual content, and complex religious themes.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe movie contains graphic and visceral depictions of violence, particularly related to the trauma of childbirth and broader instances of sexual violence. Reviewers describe these scenes as explicit and disturbing.
The film includes 'visceral depictions of Ann giving birth to four children, none of whom live past infancy,' which are described as extremely painful to watch and unflinching. Additionally, the film features 'vivid depictions of sexual violence' and 'more banal everyday violence throughout the picture, via the handling of women's bodies.'
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe film includes explicit sexual content, including 'unsexy sex scenes' and depictions of sexual violence. These elements are interwoven with themes of celibacy and the Shaker's strict doctrines regarding 'fleshly cohabitation.'
There are 'unsexy sex scenes' and depictions of Ann Lee enduring 'marital sex' with her husband Abraham before she embraces the Shaker's celibacy vow. The film also features 'vivid depictions of sexual violence' and a 'harrowing montage of sex, birth, and death,' contributing to its intense and disturbing nature.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe film portrays Ann Lee and her Shaker followers as being accused of witchcraft and demonic influence by antagonists. The Shakers' ecstatic worship, characterized by intense physical and spiritual experiences, is depicted in a way that could be perceived as occult or unsettling by outsiders.
Ann Lee is 'persecuted in her native England as a demonic woman priest' and is called a 'witch' by others in the narrative. The Shaker practices of 'rhythmic dance and chants' and being 'possessed by the Holy Spirit' during worship are described as 'mesmeric' and 'wild,' reflecting intense, almost supernatural, spiritual experiences that outsiders might label as witchcraft.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film is described as inherently disturbing and intense, featuring graphic portrayals of suffering, death, and psychological distress. Specific scenes, including sexual violence and failed births, are noted for their visceral and unsettling nature, potentially leading to viewer discomfort and anxiety.
Reviewers found the film 'disturbing' and 'unsettling,' with one noting that it resulted in a 'sleepless night' due to its content, including 'vivid depictions of sexual violence, failed births, and abuse.' The movie contains a 'harrowing montage of sex, birth, and death' and depicts Ann Lee's painful labors in an unflinching manner, creating a highly intense viewing experience.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighRebellion against established norms and familial expectations is a central theme, as Ann Lee founds a radical religious sect that challenges 18th-century societal and religious structures. This includes followers abandoning traditional lives and relationships.
Ann Lee's establishment of the Shaker movement, which proclaimed her as the 'female Christ' and instituted mandatory celibacy, represented a profound act of rebellion against the prevailing religious and social order, leading to persecution. Personal acts of defiance include Ann's brother William abandoning his 'gay lover' and Ann's husband Abraham leaving her due to her strict religious demands, illustrating the profound personal costs of this rebellion.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe film centers on a religious movement that fundamentally reinterprets Christian doctrine. Ann Lee's claim as the 'female Christ' and the Shaker's unique theological tenets, such as a 'double-gendered God' and celibacy for salvation, are in direct contradiction to orthodox Christian beliefs, making anti-Christian themes central to the narrative.
The core of the Shaker faith, as depicted, involves Ann Lee being proclaimed the 'female Christ' and the belief in a 'double-gendered God,' which are considered heretical by mainstream Christianity. Ann Lee's teaching that 'fornication is the cause of all evil' and her requirement of celibacy for adherents deviates significantly from traditional Christian views on marriage and grace, presenting a distinct and conflicting theological framework.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film features explicit LGBTQ representation through a character's relationship, and central themes revolve around challenging traditional gender roles within a religious context. The Shaker belief in a 'double-gendered God' and Ann Lee's efforts to reclaim women's agency are significant to the narrative.
Ann Lee's brother, William (Lewis Pullman), is depicted abandoning his gay lover as he commits to the Shaker faith and its celibacy requirements. The Shaker religion itself, as portrayed in the film, embraced a radical ideology for the 18th century, believing God to be 'double-gendered' and championing gender equality, with Ann Lee seeking to reclaim agency for women when their bodies were not their own.
Profanity
MediumGeneral content warnings indicate the presence of strong language. While specific instances or quotes are not detailed, the film's R-rating and thematic intensity suggest profanity beyond mild expressions.
The Sun Valley Film Festival's content warning for the film explicitly lists 'Language.' Similarly, Everyman Cinema, when listing content for the film, includes 'language.' These general warnings imply the presence of profanity in the dialogue.
Substance Use
LowThere is no indication of substance use, such as alcohol, drugs, or smoking, depicted within the film. Reviews and content warnings do not mention this as a concern, aligning with the Shaker movement's emphasis on purity and strict discipline.
No information or content warnings from film reviews or festival listings mention any instances of alcohol consumption, drug use, or smoking within 'The Testament of Ann Lee.' The Shaker's historical emphasis on an ascetic lifestyle, including strict celibacy, would logically preclude the depiction of substance abuse.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for audiences 18 and older. The film contains explicit depictions of sexual violence, graphic childbirth scenes, and mature religious themes that may be disturbing for younger viewers. Specific content warnings include nudity, sexual content, violence, domestic abuse, discrimination, and strong language.
Additional Notes
The film has a runtime of approximately 137 minutes. While some sources mention a 12A (UK equivalent to PG-13) rating, multiple reviews and festival content warnings indicate content more aligned with an R rating, including explicit sexual content and violence, suggesting a higher level of maturity is required for viewers.
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