Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
Director Mona Fastvold in tandem with actor Amanda Seyfried have created a fascinating historical film about the rise of Shakerism and its frenetic, kinetic physicality; the body and its prowess commands god’s presence, commendation, massive approval of their edicts; Seyfried is outstanding in her interpretation of Ann Lee (one of eight children) born in 1736-1784 Manchester, United Kingdom. Her voice and dancing acuteness dominate the entirety of this, at times, difficult to view movie. Ann with the loss of four children sank into religious fanaticism: carnality forbidden, root of man’s diminishment in the eyes of the Lord. The Testament written by Fastvold and her partner Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”) vivisect religious fanaticism of the eighteenth century and persecution of Ann because of her ethics and feverish, tumultuous, gyrations to attract a superior presence; it is exhausting to view but scores in its exhilarating effect. While starved, shackled in prison her hallucinations lead to intellectual and physical conversion; convincing believability converts, especially women with multiple children, a segue of escape from marital demands. Ann’s younger brother “William” (Lewis Pullman solidly delineates his devotedness), bowing to Mother Ann’s superiority and that God’s duality, saluting both feminine and masculine natures, bonded by egalitarianism, where fundamentally all are equal in status and worth. Her commitment is sincere, if misguided.
Coming to America in search of religious freedom in 1774, Lee was considered the female embodiment of Christ, separating advocates from the wickedness, wrongdoings of the world. As of August 2025, there are 3 Shakers in the United States living in Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Maine.
FOUR STARS!!!!
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