Quick Read
- Amanda Seyfried starred in three major roles in 2025, including ‘The Housemaid’ and ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’.
- She received two Golden Globe nominations for her performances in a musical/comedy and a limited series.
- Seyfried’s portrayal of complex characters drew critical acclaim and highlighted her versatility.
Amanda Seyfried’s journey through 2025 has been anything but ordinary. With three leading roles, two coveted Golden Globe nominations, and a string of performances that left critics and audiences alike in awe, Seyfried has cemented her place among the most versatile and compelling actors of her generation.
At the heart of her exceptional year is The Housemaid, a psychological thriller that has drawn comparisons to classics like Single White Female and Gone Girl. Seyfried plays Nina Winchester, a character whose surface beauty masks a fragile, tormented core. The film, based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel and helmed by Paul Feig, places Seyfried alongside Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Millie Calloway, a housemaid with a troubled past.
What makes Seyfried’s performance in The Housemaid so riveting is her ability to evoke both menace and vulnerability. Nina is a figure who commands the room, her unpredictable moods keeping everyone—characters and viewers alike—on edge. Yet, as the story unfolds, Seyfried peels back layers to reveal a woman psychologically battered by the pressures of a life she never truly chose. In scenes where tension builds and secrets threaten to surface, Seyfried’s controlled intensity becomes the film’s emotional anchor. As noted by Daily Maverick, “Characters walk on eggshells around Nina, and audiences soon find themselves similarly holding their breath every time she appears on screen.”
While The Housemaid trades in suspense and psychological complexity, Seyfried’s other major release of the year, The Testament of Ann Lee, showcases her range in an entirely different genre. In this musical drama, Seyfried steps into the shoes of Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Shaker movement—a woman whose radical beliefs in pacifism, gender equality, and celibacy placed her at odds with the world around her.
Preparing for the role required Seyfried to stretch not just her emotional capabilities, but her physical ones as well. “I trained for a year, on and off, to get the choreography right and prepare my body for the physicality of the role,” Seyfried told NPR. The Shakers were known for their ecstatic worship—singing, dancing, and movement that bordered on the frenetic. Seyfried’s portrayal channels this intensity, bringing Ann Lee’s visionary leadership and outsider status to life. “She didn’t make sense to people, and she never tried to fit in,” Seyfried reflected. Her ability to inhabit the character’s defiance and compassion earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
Seyfried’s work in The Testament of Ann Lee also underscores her commitment to complex, layered characters. Ann Lee’s refusal to pick sides during the American Revolution—choosing instead to create a sanctuary for her followers—resonated deeply with Seyfried. “What happens when you feel that it’s harmful to take a side? Why do you have to pick a side? She challenged that,” she explained. It’s a question that lingers in the film, and in Seyfried’s nuanced performance.
Her busy year didn’t end there. Seyfried also starred in Long Bright River, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series. Balancing the demands of simultaneous promotional tours, she admitted to NPR that exhaustion caught up with her: “I came home finally from a red eye, and I slept for, I want to say, like, 30 hours. I clearly needed it. And now my back hurts. I’m 40, so that’s okay.”
As critics and fans reflect on Seyfried’s career, her 2025 performances have sparked renewed appreciation for her talent. Awards Radar recently ranked her best work, placing her supporting role in Mank at the top, closely followed by her title role in The Testament of Ann Lee. Earlier favorites like Mean Girls and Chloe also made the list, highlighting her ability to move seamlessly between genres—drama, thriller, musical, and comedy.
Part of what makes Seyfried’s trajectory so compelling is her willingness to take risks. From the dark psychological corners of The Housemaid to the historical and musical rigor of The Testament of Ann Lee, she refuses to be pigeonholed. Each role demands something new from her, and each time, she delivers with authenticity and emotional clarity.
With the Golden Globes set for January 11, all eyes are on Seyfried to see if this landmark year will earn her further recognition. But awards aside, her performances have already left a mark—reminding us that behind the glamour is an artist deeply committed to her craft, unafraid to explore the contradictions and complexities of her characters.
In a year crowded with memorable performances, Amanda Seyfried’s willingness to embrace psychological depth and historical nuance sets her apart. She’s not just starring in films—she’s redefining what it means to inhabit a character. The result is a body of work that resonates far beyond the screen, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and celebrate the power of vulnerability. Sources: Daily Maverick, NPR, Awards Radar.