Amazon MGM Studios’ Sarah’s Oil is one of those films that feels long overdue — a story rooted in real Black history, told through the eyes of a young girl who saw value where others didn’t.
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh (The Stoning of Soraya M.) and inspired by Tonya Bolden’s book ‘Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America,’ the film centers on Sarah Rector, a Black girl from Oklahoma who became America’s youngest millionaire at just eleven years old — not by luck, but by intuition, faith, and pure determination.
Naya Desir-Johnson stars as Sarah, and she absolutely shines. She plays Sarah with a natural curiosity and confidence that make you forget you’re watching a historical drama. You’re just watching a kid who’s ahead of her time — sharp, witty, and determined to be heard.
The story unfolds in the early 1900s during the Muscogee (Creek) Nation allotments, when land was being distributed to freedmen and tribal members after the Civil War. Sarah’s family were Creek Freedmen — Black descendants of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation listed on the Dawes Rolls through the Treaty of 1866, which entitled them to receive land. That’s how Sarah received her 159 acres — land everyone around her said was worthless. But she believed there was oil beneath it.
And she was right.
When oil is discovered, Sarah’s world changes overnight. Suddenly, the same people who dismissed her family now want a piece of her — her land, her rights, her profits. The movie captures that familiar truth: they never want what we have until we make it valuable.
You see how systems of greed and control move to limit her autonomy — using “guardianship” laws and backroom deals to manage what was already hers. And that’s what makes Sarah’s Oil so powerful. It’s not just about oil — it’s about ownership, value, and how often Black people have had to fight to keep what’s rightfully theirs.
But what Sarah’s Oil does beautifully is keep that truth digestible. It doesn’t rely on trauma or tragedy to tell Sarah’s story. Instead, it teaches through empathy — showing both the brilliance and vulnerability of a young Black girl navigating a world that was never built for her to win.
It’s the kind of film you can watch with your whole family. It opens up conversations about Black wealth, history, and guardianship without being too heavy for kids or too simple for adults. It’s smart, balanced storytelling — something that feels rare in historical films about Black life.
Alongside Desir-Johnson, the film features a strong ensemble: Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), Kenric Green (The Walking Dead), Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan, Adyan Copes, and Mel Rodriguez. Together, they bring warmth and humanity to a story that could’ve easily leaned too academic or cold.
Now — let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Zachary Levi, who also stars in and produces the film. I’ll be honest, I had a moral dilemma going into this because of some of his public comments in recent years. But ultimately, this story is bigger than him. The cast, crew, and producers clearly poured their hearts into making sure Sarah Rector’s story was told with care. And that deserves recognition.
Sarah’s Oil is a film about vision. About believing in your own power when no one else sees it. It’s about land, legacy, and the fight to keep what’s yours. But at its heart, it’s a film about curiosity — the kind that drives young Black kids to ask “why not me?”
This isn’t a heavy-handed history lesson. It’s a gentle introduction to a powerful part of our story. And the best part? It sparks curiosity. You’ll walk away wanting to Google Sarah Rector, to learn more, to share her name. And that’s the kind of impact that lasts.
So yes, Sarah’s Oil is a must-watch — especially if you’ve ever said you’re tired of slave narratives but still want films that teach our history with hope, pride, and purpose.