Amanda Seyfried Says Both Her New Films Highlight Women’s Strength

As awards season winds down, Amanda Seyfried is celebrating a rare career moment: two very different films released within days of each other — and both centered on complex, powerful women.

At a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival, Seyfried spoke about starring in the musical historical drama The Testament of Ann Lee and the erotic thriller The Housemaid, which hit theaters at the end of 2025.

Though the projects couldn’t be more different in tone and style, Seyfried said they share something meaningful.

“I think about what’s worth leaving my kids for,” she told reporters. “What’s going to give me the opportunity as an artist to grow and learn something about myself?”

Two Films, Two Very Different Worlds

In The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Mona Fastvold, Seyfried plays Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker religious movement, who preached gender equality and social justice in the 18th century. The film blends drama and music, featuring reimagined Shaker hymns and powerful choreography.

The movie first premiered at the Venice Film Festival before opening in the U.S. on Christmas Day and in the U.K. in February. Critics largely praised the film, and Seyfried earned nominations at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards, though the film did not receive any Oscar nominations.

Meanwhile, The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, offered a completely different experience. The erotic thriller, co-starring Sydney Sweeney, became a box office hit and allowed Seyfried to explore another side of her talent.

“It was incredibly fun and let me flex myself and my artistic needs,” she said.

A Shared Theme: Strong Women

Despite their differences, Seyfried said she loves that both films highlight women who are driven by their needs and their fight for equality and safety.

“At the end of the day, I love the fact that they’re both about strength of character,” she explained. “Women with needs who are activated by those needs.”

She also pointed out that audiences are responding.

“Women are showing up at the theater because we’re making movies for women,” she said. “I’m 100% behind both movies and thrilled they came out around the same time.”

For Seyfried, the back-to-back releases represent not just a busy season — but a meaningful one. Two bold stories. Two different genres. One consistent message: women’s stories matter.