Searchlight Pictures has acquired writer-director Mona Fastvold ‘s The Testament of Ann Lee , starring Amanda Seyfried , for North America and most of the world, we can reveal. The studio is lining up a theatrical release later this year.

In the musical drama, Seyfried ( Les Misérables ) stars as the titular Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, a radical religious movement that began in the late 1700s. The film was well-received after its Venice debut with many critics praising Oscar nominee Seyfried’s performance in particular. A tilt at a Best Actress Oscar seems plausible.

Also starring are Thomasin McKenzie ( Jojo Rabbit ), Lewis Pullman ( Top Gun: Maverick ), Tim Blake Nelson ( The Ballad of Buster Scruggs ), Christopher Abbott ( Poor Things ) and Stacy Martin (

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