The followers of The Shakers apparently did not practice one of the main tenets of The Bible: that of “To be fruitful and multiply.”

According to The Bible, the command was spoken by God to Adam and Eve, as recounted in Genesis 1:28, and spoken by God to Noah, after the flood, as stated in Genesis 9:1.

As stated in the end credits of “The Testament of Ann Lee,” a movie about the founder of The Shakers, there were 6,000 Shakers in the 1840s in the world. In July 2025, there were two, maybe three, Shakers.

Ann Lee and a few of her followers emigrated from England to the United States, settling in Niskayuna, Watervliet Township, near Albany, N.Y. Some 20 more settlements were in New York and New England.

Ann Lee (1736-1784), revered by her followers as “the second coming of Jesus Christ,” was called “Mother Ann.” The Shakers were and are regarded as a sect.

One of the main tenets that Ann Lee, who died at age 48, preached to her Shaker follows was that of celibacy.

The title role of Ann Lee is portrayed with fierce determination and quiet dignity by Amanda Seyfried in a searing performance that stays with one long after departing the movie theater.

Seyfried takes us on a journey of leading a community with words, discipline and patience.

Seyfried sings several Shaker hymns. Her voice is evocative and beautiful.

“The Testament of Ann Lee” tells the story of Ann Lee in a convoluted way, removing the character of Ann Lee from central scenes that deprives Seyfried of key dramatic moments.

“The Testament of Ann Lee” plays more like a play, theatrical spectacle or church pageant. Not that there’s anything wrong with those.

However, this is a “motion” picture. And while there is a lot of motion -- these are Shakers, after all -- there is not a lot of emotion. The movie is surprisingly distant and aloof.

The movie’s director Mona Fastvold has choreographed Shakers’ worship scenes, depicting what is known as “worshiping in the spirit.” At times, I felt as though I was watching the Irish-American step-dancing Zombies scene from the movie, “Sinners”; a Paul Taylor choreographed modern dance with Bob Fosse jazz hands; an angular movement David Byrne or Devo concert video, a Colonial-American version of a rave, or a Monty Python “Minister of Silly Walks” routine.

Whether intentional or not, The Shakers come off as figures of fun. In contrast, worship in the spirit, which I have witnessed, is inspirational.

The fluid and harmonic singing of Shaker hymns in the film is a smooth and uplifting contrast to the herky-jerky movements of the faithful share-dancing around the room.

Seyfried’s singing often blends wonderfully with choral voices. It’s outstanding and makes me want to get a copy of the movie’s soundtrack.

The film’s composer Daniel Blumberg (Oscar recipient, original score, “The Brutalist”) wrote or adapted many of the Shaker-inspired songs on the soundtrack.

Mona Fastvold (Oscar nomination, screenplay, “The Brutalist,” 2024, who also directed the movies, “The World to Come,” 2020, and “The Sleepwalker,” 2014) co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Brady Corbet (three-time Oscar nominee, picture, director, screenplay, “The Brutalist,” who also directed “Vox Lux, 2018, and “The Childhood of a Leader,” 2015).

The characters in “The Testament of Ann Lee,” other than that of Ann Lee, are what I call three-quarters pantomime. They are not fleshed out. The most successful supporting actor role is that of Lewis Pullman as William Lee, Ann Lee’s brother.

The narration by Mary (Thomasin McKenzie), a Shaker follower of Ann Lee, is especially hard to decipher. Moreover, the use of a third-party narrator, rather than Ann Lee, distances Seyfried from her role.

The film was lensed in 35 mm. The screening that I attended yielded a film that has mostly dark scenes, often too dark. Cinematographer is William Rexer (cinematographer, “Prime,” 2005).

Production values are superb.

Production Designer Sam Bader (Art Department, “Bridge of Spies,” 2015) faithfully recreates the milieu of Colonial America and England of the era.

Costume Designer Malgorzata Karpiuk (Costume Designer, “The Zone of Interest,” 2023) brings authenticity throughout to the actors’ garb.

Recently, at AMC Center Valley 16, Amanda Seyfried had two films showing simultaneously. “The Housemaid,” the psychological thriller in which Seyfried stars opposite Sydney Sweeney, and “The Testament of Ann Lee,” were each screening at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday.

Seyfried, an Allentown native, William Allen High School graduate, Class of 2003, who was in Civic Theatre of Allentown shows, received a 2026 Golden Globe nomination and a 2026 Critics Choice Award for best actress for “The Testament of Ann Lee.”

The Shakers may have not made children, but they made wonderful music. Oddly, their most famous hymn, “Simple Gifts,” is not included in “The Testament of Ann Lee.”

“Simple Gifts,” written in 1848, is attributed to Elder Joseph Brackett from Alfred Shaker Village, Alfred, Me. Aaron Copland adapted the melody for “Appalachian Spring,” his score for the Martha Graham ballet (1944).

The Shakers also made wonderful furniture. Shaker furniture was developed by the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as The Shakers. The furniture is typified by minimalist design.

Is this their last will and testament? The Shakers may have been part of God’s divine providence. Be that as it may or may not be, among movers and shakers, The Shakers are all over.

“The Testament of Ann Lee,” MPA rated R (Restricted: Persons under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian) for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence and bloody images; Genre: History, Biography, Drama, Musical; Run time: 2 hours, 17 minutes. Distributed by Searchlight Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “The Testament of Ann Lee” was filmed in 2024 in Budapest Hungary; Göteborg, Sweden, and Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, Mass.

At The Movies: “The Testament of Ann Lee” was seen in the standard digital format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, Feb. 6-8: “Send Help” continued at No. 1 two weeks in a row on the “Super Bowl LX” (“Super Bowl 60”)-dominated weekend with $10 million in 3,475 theaters, $35.8 million, two weeks.

2. “Solo Mio,” starring Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie and Alyson Hannigan in the Romantic Comedy, $7.2 million in 3,052 theaters, opening. 3. “Iron Lung” dropped one place, $6 million in 2,930 theaters, $30.8 million, two weeks. 4. “Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience,” the K-pop group concert film at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, $5.5 million in 1,724 theaters, opening. 5. “Dracula,” starring Christoph Waltz in the Vampire Horror film remake, $4.5 million in 2,050 theaters, opening. 6. “Zootopia 2” dropped two places, $4 million in 2,715 theaters, $414.5 million, 11 weeks. 7. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” dropped two places, $3.5 million in 2,365 theaters, $391.5 million, eight weeks. 8. “The Strangers: Chapter 3,” starring Madelaine Petsch, Richard Brake and Janis Ahern in the Horror film sequel, $3.4 million in 2,565 theaters, opening. 9. “Shelter” dropped three places, $2.4 million in 2,726 theaters, $9.9 million, two weeks. 10. “Melania” dropped seven places, $2.3 million in 2,003 theaters, $13.3 million, two weeks. 31. “The Testament of Ann Lee” dropped seven places, $104,000 in 230 theaters, $2.3 million, seven weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Feb. 8 is subject to change.

Unreel, Feb. 13:

“Wuthering Heights,” MPA rated R; 2 hours, 16 minutes. Emerald Fennell directs Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the Romantic Drama. The film is a retelling of the Emily Brontë classic 1847 novel about Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. It’s at least the fifth feature film based on the novel, including director William Wyler’s 1939 version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. There have also been television versions and mini-series based on the novel.

“Cold Storage,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 39 minutes. Jonny Campbell directs Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, Georgina Campbell and Joe Keery in the Comedy Horror film. A dangerous fungus escapes from a secret laboratory.

“GOAT,” MPA rated PG. 1 hour, 40 minutes. Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette direct the voice talents of Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt, Jenifer Lewis and David Harbour and the animation in the Adventure Comedy. A small goat wants to play pro “roarball.”

“Crime 101,” MPA rated R. 2 hours, 20 minutes. Bart Layton directs Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Nick Nolte and Jennifer Jason Leigh in the Crime Drama. A detective tries to thwart a multi-million dollar heist.

“Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,” MPA rated R, 2 hours, 14 minutes. Gore Verbinski directs Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, Michael Peña, Haley Lu Richarson and Juno Temple in the Science-Fiction Action Comedy. A man from the future recruits disgruntled patrons at a Los Angele diner to save the world from rogue Artificial Intelligence.

“Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 35 minutes. Matt Johnson directs Jay McCarrol, Ben Petrie and Maddy Wilde and himself in the Mocumentary Comedy. The synopses states: “When their plan to book a show at the Rivoli goes wrong, Matt and Jay accidentally travel back to the year 2008.”

Movie opening date information from Box Office Mojo as of Feb. 8 may be subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes