Amanda Seyfried delivers another powerhouse performance that deserves more attention than it’s getting.
The Testament of Ann Lee arrives in theaters this weekend without the Oscar campaign many expected, but that shouldn’t stop audiences from discovering one of the year’s most compelling character studies.
Between lackluster AI movies and generic streaming fare, this weekend offers some genuinely intriguing options—from musical dramas to ice skating romances to Ryan Murphy’s latest genre experiment.
Here’s what’s actually worth your time.
The Testament of Ann Lee Brings Historical Drama to Theaters
Mona Fastvold steps into the director’s chair after co-writing The Brutalist with husband Brady Corbet. Her latest project tackles the fascinating true story of Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers religious movement.
Amanda Seyfried takes on the title role, with Lewis Pullman playing her brother William. The musical drama follows their journey to America with a group of devoted believers seeking religious freedom.
Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott, and Thomasin McKenzie round out the impressive cast. Despite minimal awards buzz, Seyfried’s performance stands as a reminder that recognition doesn’t always align with quality.
For moviegoers tired of franchise fare and algorithm-generated content, this historical drama offers substance and artistry. It’s a significantly better theatrical option than certain AI-driven blockbusters hitting multiplexes this week.
Figure Skating Romance Returns With Finding Her Edge
Perfect timing for Winter Olympics fever: Finding Her Edge adapts Jennifer Lacopelli’s YA novel about competitive figure skating. Madelyn Keys stars as a skater training for world championships while navigating complicated romantic dynamics.
The classic love triangle premise pits her former skating partner against her current one. It’s familiar territory for sports romance fans, arriving just as audiences gear up for actual Olympic competition.
Star Search Attempts a Comeback on Netflix
The legendary talent competition returns with modern updates, including live voting capabilities. Anthony Anderson hosts while Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen, and Jelly Roll serve as judges.
Can a rebooted Star Search discover the next Beyoncé or Usher? Those are impossibly high standards set by the original series.
Netflix is betting big on interactive live formats, and this reboot represents another experiment in real-time audience engagement. Whether it captures lightning in a bottle twice remains uncertain.
Ryan Murphy Returns With Horror Series The Beauty
Just six weeks after All’s Fair wrapped, Ryan Murphy launches his next project. The Beauty ventures into horror territory with a provocative premise: a sexually transmitted virus makes people gorgeous before killing them.
The concept feels like Murphy watched The Strain and The Substance back-to-back and thought he could blend those influences. Body horror meets social commentary in typical Murphy fashion.
The series explores vanity, mortality, and society’s obsession with physical perfection through a genre lens. Murphy’s horror work always leans heavily into cultural anxieties, and this appears no different.
Alex Honnold Attempts Live Skyscraper Climb
Netflix continues pushing boundaries with live programming. Skyscraper Live features rock climber Alex Honnold—star of Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo—climbing Taipei 101.
Taipei 101 ranks among the world’s tallest skyscrapers. Producers claim no wires, ropes, or safety nets will be used during the broadcast.
Absolutely terrifying viewing for anyone with a fear of heights. This programming feels designed specifically to induce panic attacks in viewers watching from the safety of their couches.
Reality TV Offers Lighter Weekend Fare
Single’s Inferno Season Five
The relaxed Korean dating show returns for another season. Single’s Inferno strands attractive young singles on a luxury island where coupling up earns overnight dates at even more lavish hotels.
It’s among the most low-stakes, enjoyable dating competitions currently streaming. No manufactured drama, just beautiful people in beautiful locations.
Queer Eye Season Ten
Queer Eye wraps its run with a tenth season set in Washington, D.C. Recent off-screen controversies have overshadowed the show’s content, possibly contributing to its conclusion.
For viewers seeking Obama-era optimism and earnest makeover stories, the Fab Five deliver one final season. It’s a time capsule of early streaming positivity before everything got complicated.
Bruce Springsteen Biopic Hits Streaming
Jeremy Allen White transforms into Bruce Springsteen for Deliver Me From Nowhere. Director Scott Cooper focuses on the melancholy Nebraska period of Springsteen’s career.
Critical reception was mixed, but certain reviewers found genuine insight. Critic Bilge Ebiri praised specific aspects of the film’s approach:
At its best, the film gives us a sincere look at the creative process and reveals it to be a sad, scary, at times uncontrollable and destructive thing.
White’s physical transformation and commitment to capturing Springsteen’s essence make this worthwhile for music biopic fans. Deliver Me From Nowhere joins recent musician biopics attempting to balance accuracy with emotional truth.
Additional Streaming Options Worth Considering
The Smashing Machine now streams on HBO Max for combat sports enthusiasts. The filmed Broadway production of Tony-winning Merrily We Roll Along is available as a rental.
This weekend’s entertainment landscape offers surprising variety beyond algorithm-generated recommendations. From historical dramas to live extreme sports to international dating shows, there’s genuine diversity in available content.
Amanda Seyfried’s overlooked performance in The Testament of Ann Lee deserves theatrical support. Sometimes the best movies arrive without fanfare or awards campaigns behind them.