Amanda Seyfried started the year with two of her movies in theaters at the same time, The Housemaid and The Testament of Ann Lee. The first one is a crowd-pleasing thriller that’s been hitting box office milestones next to Avatar: Fire and Ash over other 2026 movie releases, and the other is a daring musical that had her among 2026 Golden Globe nominees. Seyfried recently opened up about why she thinks it’s a “great sign” her movie Ann Lee has been challenging for audiences.
The Testament of Ann Lee is inspired by the true story of the founding leader of the Shaker movement who lived in 18th century England. She was believed to be the female embodiment of Jesus Christ by her followers. Early in the film, the audience witnesses as Ann gives birth four times and loses each of one of her kids in their early infancy. Seyfried said this about about the sequence:
