Amanda Seyfried is generating buzz for her role in the upcoming film, "The Testament of Ann Lee," a historical drama musical directed by Mona Fastvold. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025, and was also showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival. Seyfried plays Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, a radical religious movement in the 18th century.

Seyfried has spoken about the "sacrifices" she made for the role, including giving up Botox for a year. She told Etalk that the "sacrifice" was worth it: "I'm an actor and that's my job and that's what I love to do. I don't necessarily need all that in my life. I just like it. The things that I like, I can sacrifice a little. Of course I can". She had previously mentioned in an interview with Vanity Fair that forgoing Botox was "absolutely necessary" for the role, aligning with director Mona Fastvold's no-makeup rule. Seyfried explained that she initially enjoyed Botox because she frowns a lot, but realized that allowing her natural expressions to return was essential for the character.

In addition to abstaining from Botox, Seyfried faced other challenges in portraying Ann Lee. She described it as an intense and physically demanding role. She found it difficult to relate to Ann Lee's unwavering devotion and strength, admitting that those qualities don't necessarily align with her own personality. Seyfried also had to master an accent and learn complex choreography, which she jokingly compared to "math".

One of the most emotionally taxing aspects of the role was channeling the grief of losing four children, a tragedy that deeply impacted Ann Lee and shaped her religious views. Seyfried, a mother herself, acknowledged that confronting such profound loss was her "biggest fear". To prepare, she focused on honoring the grief of those who have experienced similar losses, which she believes helped her to connect with Ann Lee on a deeper level.

Despite the challenges, Seyfried found the role to be incredibly freeing. She praised director Mona Fastvold for creating an environment where she felt comfortable taking risks and exploring the character's complexities. Seyfried said she was encouraged to "go as far deep as you can go to make the craziest sounds" and fully embrace the physicality of the role. Fastvold stated that Seyfried was cast because, "Amanda has a lot of power. She's really strong. She is a wonderful mother. She is a little mad, and so I knew that she could access those things. She could access the kindness, the gentleness, the tenderness, and she could also access this power and this madness".

"The Testament of Ann Lee" is described as a "speculative retelling" of Ann Lee's life, exploring her childhood traumas and the unique interpretation of scripture that led her to advocate for a more equitable and utopian society. The film delves into the Shakers' worship practices, which involved ecstatic song and dance, and features original Shaker hymns with music by Daniel Blumberg. Seyfried's performance is already garnering praise, with some critics noting her magnetism as a sect leader and her ability to capture both the bliss of worship and the agony of loss.