The Testament of Ann Lee is “Quite Different From a Traditional Musical” Director Mona Fastvold States

Filmmaker Mona Fastvold is challenging expectations with her latest project, The Testament of Ann Lee, a historical musical drama that reimagines what the genre can be. Directed and co-written by Fastvold alongside long time collaborator Brady Corbet (director of the Oscar-winning The Brutalist), the film explores the life of Ann Lee, the 18th-century religious leader who founded the Shakers, a spiritual movement known for its expressive worship through song and movement.

Amanda Seyfried (soon to be seen in The Housemaid) takes on the demanding lead role, delivering a performance that leans into emotional honesty rather than polished theatricality. The film avoids traditional musical structures, instead weaving music organically into the narrative. Songs emerge naturally from the characters’ experiences, blending with environmental sounds and physical movement to create an immersive atmosphere rather than staged musical numbers.

Fastvold encouraged a raw, instinctive approach to singing, reflecting how music functioned within Shaker worship as an extension of prayer and emotional release. This creative choice gives the film a grounded, visceral quality that separates it from conventional musicals.

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The story follows Ann Lee’s journey from England to America, where she and a small group of followers sought religious freedom. Their communal life and devotion are portrayed through rhythmic movement and collective song, emphasizing the physical and spiritual intensity of their beliefs.

Since premiering at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, The Testament of Ann Lee has already drawn attention for its bold storytelling and experimental sound design. With a planned theatrical release next year, the film stands out as a daring reinvention of the musical form, offering audiences a deeply sensory and emotionally resonant experience that blends history, faith, and artistry in a strikingly original way.

The Testament of Ann Lee is released in UK cinemas on  20th February, 2026.

About the Author

Megan Hilborne

Author

Megan is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema. Some of her writing credits include an interview with Academy Award winner Sean Baker and Time’s 2025 Most Influential People inductee Mo Abudu.

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