Amanda Seyfried’s Historical Musical The Testament of Ann Lee Enters Golden Globes Race as a Comedy or Musical

Mona Fastvold’s new film The Testament of Ann Lee, starring Amanda Seyfried, is officially entering the Golden Globes race — but in a surprising twist, it’s competing in the Comedy or Musical categories rather than Drama. The move, confirmed by multiple reports including Variety, positions the film strategically for awards season and highlights its unique musical elements.

The movie, produced by Searchlight Pictures, is a historical drama centered on Ann Lee, the 18th-century spiritual leader who founded the Shakers, a Christian sect known for celibacy, equality, and ecstatic worship. Seyfried, 39, takes on the demanding role of the visionary whose message defied convention. Critics have already called it one of her career-best performances, noting her emotional depth and commitment to portraying a complex religious figure.

Fastvold, who co-wrote the film with Brady Corbet, reunites with him after their previous success with The Brutalist, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. Their creative partnership continues in The Testament of Ann Lee, marking what many are calling Fastvold’s most ambitious and musically infused project to date.

The film also boasts a strong ensemble cast including Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, Christopher Abbott, and Tim Blake Nelson. Shot with an emphasis on atmosphere and rhythm, the movie uses music not as background but as narrative — a defining reason behind its submission in the musical category.

Composer Daniel Blumberg once again joins Fastvold after their work on The Brutalist. He composed a soundscape inspired by original Shaker hymns, blending minimalist instrumentation with choral harmonies to reflect the film’s spiritual tone. Searchlight has also submitted two original songs — “Clothed by the Sun” and “John’s Running Song” — both written and performed by Blumberg, for awards consideration at the Oscars and other ceremonies.

The film premiered on September 1, 2025, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion. It received a long standing ovation and strong praise for its hypnotic mix of faith, music, and emotional irony. Critics from outlets like The Guardian and IndieWire described it as a bold, unconventional blend of spirituality and sound.

Searchlight Pictures plans to release the film in limited theaters on December 25, 2025, setting it up perfectly for awards eligibility. The Golden Globe nominations will be announced on December 8, where Seyfried is expected to face stiff competition in the Best Actress – Comedy or Musical category against Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).

If Seyfried’s performance earns an Oscar nomination, she could join Erivo and Hudson in making history — marking one of the rare times multiple musical performances appear in the Best Actress lineup. That’s only happened twice before: once in the 1960s when Julie Andrews won for Mary Poppins, and again in 2024 with nominations for Cynthia Erivo and Karla Sofía Gascón.

With its haunting hymns, powerful performances, and unconventional tone, The Testament of Ann Lee is shaping up to be one of the season’s most talked-about films — a striking intersection of faith, feminism, and music that could very well sing its way into awards history.