Trailer Watch: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee,’ ‘Michael’ ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ ‘Resurrection,’ ‘Rosemead’
This week brings a wild array of trailers from an Oscar contender, a biopic of a deeply problematic legend, a Christmas comedy, a kaleidoscope vision from an auteur and an indie awards hopeful.
THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE
From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold (The World to Come, The Brutalist) comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers. Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried stars as the Shaker’s irrepressible leader, who preached gender and social equality and was revered by her followers. The Testament of Ann Lee captures the ecstasy and agony of her quest to build a utopia, featuring more than a dozen traditional Shaker hymns reimagined as rapturous movements with choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall (Vox Lux) and original songs & score by Academy Award winner Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist).
Also starring Lewis Pullman, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott, Stacy Martin, Matthew Beard, Scott Handy, Viola Prettejohn, Jamie Bogyo and David Cale. Presented in 70mm. In select theaters Christmas Day from Searchlight Pictures.
MICHAEL
Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
In theaters April 24, 2026 from Lionsgate. Starring Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo.
OH. WHAT. FUN.
In Oh. What. Fun., Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together every holiday season. From perfectly frosted cookies to meticulously wrapped gifts, no one decks the halls quite like Claire. But this year, as her grown kids and distracted husband get swept up in their own seasonal dramas, they make one crucial mistake: they forget their mom. By the time they realize she’s missing, Claire’s already set off on a festive adventure of her own – one that doesn’t involve cooking, cleaning, or coordinating anyone else’s chaos. As her family scrambles to find her and salvage their Christmas, Claire rediscovers what the holidays mean when you’re finally free to put yourself first.
Also starring Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Danielle Brooks, Devery Jacobs, Havana Rose Liu, Maude Apatow, with Jason Schwartzman with Eva Longoria and Joan Chen, directed by Michael Showalter and written by Chandler Baker and Showalter. Premieres December 3 on Prime Video.
RESURRECTION
In Bi Gan’s Resurrection lies a future where humanity has surrendered its ability to dream in exchange for immortality, an outcast (Jackson Yee) finds illusion, nightmarish visions, and beauty in an intoxicating world of his own making. A work of staggering imagination from visionary Chinese director Bi Gan (Long Day’s Journey Into Night), Resurrection conjures vast and ever-shifting worlds on the brink of collapse in an era-spanning journey through our deepest and most human desires.
Opening in theaters in NY and LA on December 12 from Janus Films.
ROSEMEAD
Inspired by a harrowing true story, Lucy Liu transforms in a riveting, career-redefining performance as an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son. In Los Angeles theaters from Vertical on December 5 and New York on December 12.
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Critics Choice Association (CCA), San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
Pittsburgh Film Critics Association (PFCC) Winners: 9 Wins for ‘Sinners’ 
Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF) Awards: ‘Sinners’ Wins 7 
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 134 – ‘Dick Tracy’ (Warren Beatty, 1990) 
Producers Guild of America (PGA): ‘F1,’ ‘Weapons’ In, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ ‘Wicked: For Good’ Out