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| If You Watched The Testament of Ann Lee, These 10 Films and Series Should Be Next on Your List. (Credits: IMDb) |
Religious conviction, female leadership, and the politics of belief sit at the centre of The Testament of Ann Lee, the historical musical drama led by Amanda Seyfried as the controversial founder of the Shaker movement. Directed by Mona Fastvold, the film revisits Ann Lee’s rise from working-class England to becoming a spiritual figure whose egalitarian teachings stirred both devotion and fierce opposition.
For viewers drawn to stories where faith collides with power, tradition, and personal freedom, there is a rich catalogue of films and series that explore similar themes. From convent dramas to unsettling cult tales, these ten titles examine how women navigate belief systems that both empower and restrict them.
What to Watch After The Testament of Ann Lee: 10 Similar Movies and Shows
Each title below echoes The Testament of Ann Lee through its exploration of faith, authority, and the complicated human search for meaning.
1. Benedetta (2021)
Director Paul Verhoeven’s historical drama follows Virginie Efira as Benedetta Carlini, a 17th-century nun whose alleged divine visions bring her fame and suspicion within an Italian convent.
When a young woman played by Daphné Patakia enters her life, the balance between spiritual devotion and personal desire becomes dangerously complicated. Inspired by historical records and Judith C. Brown’s book Immodest Acts, the film explores how religious institutions react when a woman begins to wield influence through claims of spiritual authority. Like Ann Lee, Benedetta becomes both revered and feared.
2. Vision – From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen (2009)
Directed by Margarethe von Trotta, this German historical drama chronicles the remarkable life of Barbara Sukowa as Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century nun, composer, and thinker. The film portrays her attempts to expand intellectual and spiritual opportunities for women within a rigid religious structure.
As Hildegard pushes boundaries within the Benedictine order, she confronts resistance from male authorities while gaining followers who recognise her leadership. The film mirrors Ann Lee’s story in its portrayal of a woman reshaping religious thought from within.
3. Women Talking (2022)
Sarah Polley’s Oscar-winning drama examines a group of women in a secluded Mennonite community confronting years of hidden abuse. Led by performances from Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, and Rooney Mara, the story unfolds as the women debate whether to stay, fight, or leave the community altogether.
Much like The Testament of Ann Lee, the narrative questions who truly holds authority within faith-driven communities and how women reclaim agency when tradition has silenced them.
4. Novitiate (2017)
Set in the American South during the 1960s, Maggie Betts’ drama follows Margaret Qualley as Cathleen Harris, a teenager who joins a strict convent despite opposition from her mother.
Under the uncompromising rule of Reverend Mother Marie Saint-Clair, played by Melissa Leo, the young novices face harsh discipline and spiritual tests. As the Catholic Church begins modern reforms, tensions rise between rigid tradition and emerging freedom. The film offers a striking look at female faith under institutional pressure.
5. The Wonder (2022)
Directed by Sebastián Lelio, this atmospheric drama stars Florence Pugh as an English nurse sent to rural Ireland to investigate a supposed miracle: an eleven-year-old girl who claims she has survived for months without food.
As the community frames the situation as divine intervention, the nurse’s rational perspective collides with deeply held religious belief. The film captures the uneasy tension between faith and scepticism that also runs through Ann Lee’s story.
6. Thérèse (1986)
French filmmaker Alain Cavalier presents a minimalist yet powerful portrait of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, played by Catherine Mouchet. Determined to enter the Carmelite order at a young age, Thérèse dedicates her life entirely to spiritual devotion.
The film quietly explores the emotional and physical struggles that accompany such commitment. Like Ann Lee’s journey, the story examines the endurance required to pursue faith in a world that often questions it.
7. The Nun’s Story (1959)
In this classic drama directed by Fred Zinnemann, Audrey Hepburn delivers one of her most acclaimed performances as Gabrielle Van der Mal, a Belgian woman who becomes Sister Luke after entering a convent.
Her dream of serving as a missionary nurse in the Congo soon clashes with the strict vows demanded by her religious order. Set against the backdrop of global turmoil, the film explores how personal conviction is tested when faith meets real-world conflict.
8. The Other Lamb (2019)
Directed by Małgorzata Szumowska, this haunting drama centres on Raffey Cassidy as Selah, a teenager raised within a secluded cult led by a charismatic man known simply as Shepherd, portrayed by Michiel Huisman.
As Selah approaches adulthood, she begins to question the rigid belief system that has defined her life. The film’s unsettling tone highlights the dangers of unquestioned leadership and the vulnerability of followers seeking spiritual certainty.
9. The Handmaid’s Tale (TV Series)
Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, this acclaimed series starring Elisabeth Moss depicts a dystopian society where religion is weaponised to control women’s bodies and freedoms.
Though fictional, the show resonates strongly with the themes explored in The Testament of Ann Lee: the intersection of faith, power, and resistance led by women determined to reclaim their autonomy.
10. Unorthodox (Limited Series)
This powerful drama follows Shira Haas as Esther “Esty” Shapiro, a young woman who escapes an ultra-orthodox Jewish community in New York to build a new life in Berlin.
Inspired by real experiences, the series explores identity, tradition, and the courage required to question religious systems that shape every aspect of life.
Online discussions around films like these tend to split audiences into two camps. Some viewers praise stories such as The Testament of Ann Lee and Women Talking for highlighting women’s voices within religious spaces often dominated by male authority. Many fans say these narratives feel overdue, offering perspectives rarely explored in historical cinema.
Others are drawn less to the political dimension and more to the psychological angle. Titles like The Other Lamb and Benedetta spark debate about the influence of charismatic leaders and how belief systems evolve around them. On film forums and social media threads, viewers often note how these stories raise questions about devotion, personal freedom, and the thin line between spiritual leadership and control.
What most audiences seem to agree on is that films exploring faith through complex female characters tend to leave a lasting impression. Whether historical biography or fictional drama, these stories reveal how belief can shape communities, identities, and personal destinies.
For anyone captivated by the layered storytelling in The Testament of Ann Lee, these ten titles offer a compelling continuation of the conversation. If you have watched any of them — or think another film belongs on this list — share your thoughts and recommendations. The debate around faith, power, and women in history is far from finished.