STORYLINE: Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, proclaimed as the female Christ by her followers. Depicts her establishment of a utopian society and the Shakers’ worship through song and dance, based on real events.  (IMDb)

    Utopian societies have a varied portrayal in cinema.  I argue most notably throughout the Star Trek feature franchise.  Disney put this concept at the heart of its 2015 film Tomorrowland.  The MCU portrayed utopian societies in the Oscar winning Black Panther (2018).  Studio Ghibili embraced the concept with its 1986 release Castle in the Sky.  Amanda Seyfried stars in The Testament of Ann Lee, a real life tale of a founder in a religious movement, as she attempts to establish her own utopian society.

   The Testament of Ann Lee is an interesting drama. In its  crosshairs it tackles mental illness, geo politics, gender issues, religious themes, and all this is  centered around a religious movement.  Typically I don’t care for religious themed films, but in this feature it did not bother me.

    The reason I was not bothered by it with this movie was the religion was the story, and not the message.  I find the opposite with Angel Studio films, with releases such as Sight (2023).  

   I am a fan of the majority of the films I have seen starring Amanda Seyfried.  First Reformed (2017) was nothing short of brilliant, for me.  Mean Girls (2004) was a blast  to watch. 2025’s The Housemaid had its moments. I didn’t care for Mamma Mia (2008) or it’s sequel that was  released ten years later.  The Testament of Ann Lee is counted among the films I enjoy of hers.

    The Testament of Ann Lee was a religious themed film that was not preachy, because the religion was the story nit the message. That’s the way it should be. 

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!