Searchlight Pictures has boarded Mona Fastvold’s “The Testament of Ann Lee,” taking North American and most international rights and planning a theatrical release by year’s end after the film’s Venice debut put Amanda Seyfried’s performance squarely on the awards radar. The musical drama, co-written by Fastvold, reframes the 18th-century rise of the Shakers through dance and songs adapted from period hymns, with Seyfried portraying founder Ann Lee opposite Lewis Pullman; CAA Media Finance negotiated the deal with Searchlight executives Chan Phung, Paul Hoffman and Don Hardison.
The acquisition follows a strong festival run that highlighted the film’s unusual fusion of religious history and avant-garde musical staging. Early critical response has been notably positive: the title is currently listed at 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting enthusiastic notices for its choreography, choral arrangements and Seyfried’s lead turn. The project also drew attention for its production pedigree and cast, which includes Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson and Christopher Abbott.
Fastvold’s approach leans on authentic source material and physical movement to dramatize the sect’s ecstatic worship, with sequences built around Shaker melodies and collective dance. In festival interviews, the filmmakers described a process aimed at balancing historical fidelity with contemporary cinematic energy, positioning the film as both character study and reinterpretation of spiritual music traditions. The Venice rollout sparked debate about how the story of a polarizing leader translates to a modern audience, while reinforcing interest in prestige musicals driven by distinctive directorial concepts.
Searchlight’s late-year dating aligns the picture with the corridor the label often uses for awards-minded specialty releases. Beyond domestic release plans, the rights footprint suggests a coordinated push across major territories, supported by festival momentum and an emphasis on Seyfried’s physically demanding performance. With distribution now in place and marketing set to foreground the film’s choral soundscape and communal choreography, the title enters the fall marketplace as a higher-risk, conversation-starter bet from a distributor known for championing auteur projects with breakout potential.
