By far, the best part of this movie are the choreographed worship scenes. They are mystical and beautiful and make you want to join a cult! I think they give the viewer insight into why religious extremism has a draw on so many people. To a lesser degree, we also get insights into how someone might become an extremist sect leader and how "cults" are not necessarily toxic. We don't get as much insight into the actual doctrines and politics of the Shakers which might not be important, if they are primarily an experiential religion. There were hints of the connection between Shakers and modern Charismatics but left unexplained. Shockingly portrayed but not fully explained is the persecution. I would have also liked to see more of the pragmatics side of the Shakers, especially related to the aesthetics which might be their most lasting legacy. But also what it was like to build a commune from scratch. It might have added some grounding to the movie beyond the spirituality which is a little wearying. Amanda Seyfried is well cast, physically and personally, and mostly pulls it off. She nails the religious ecstasy part but maybe not the dominant leader part. But the worship scenes! So pitch perfect. I _think_ they are traditional Shaker lyrics updated to a more modern "Praise Music" style. At first, they clashed with rest of the movie until I accepted them as transcendent experience for the audience to feel Shaker worship ourselves, in 2026. If you are at all interested in religious experience, I highly recommend this movie.

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