Sarah's Oil

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Sarah's Oil
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCyrus Nowrasteh
Written by
  • Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh
  • Cyrus Nowrasteh
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohnny Derango
Edited by
  • Paul Seydor
  • Sean Albertson
Music byKathryn Bostic
Production
companies
Distributed byAmazon MGM Studios
Release date
  • November 7, 2025 (2025-11-07)
Running time
104 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$18 million[2]
Box office$12 million[3]

Sarah's Oil is a 2025 American biographical drama film about Sarah Rector, directed, co-produced, and co-written by Cyrus Nowrasteh. It is inspired by the 2014 book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America by Tonya Bolden.[4] It stars Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Garret Dillahunt.

Released theatrically by Amazon MGM Studios on November 7, 2025, Sarah's Oil received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $12 million at the box office on a $18 million production budget.

Plot

In the early 1900s in Oklahoma Indian Territory, eleven-year-old Sarah Rector, a descendant of the Creek Freedmen, lives with her struggling family on a barren 160-acre allotment granted through a federal land program. Most local settlers and businessmen consider the land worthless because it cannot sustain farming, leaving Sarah's family trapped in poverty under the racial oppression of the Jim Crow era.

Despite the skepticism surrounding the property, Sarah becomes convinced that oil lies beneath the land. Her belief is encouraged by stories from local wildcatters and by her strong religious faith. Her parents, Rose and Joe Rector, initially dismiss the idea, fearing exploitation from oil prospectors and corrupt officials who routinely take advantage of Black and Indigenous families.

As taxes and financial pressures mount, the family reluctantly agrees to lease part of the land to independent oil drillers, including Bert Smith, a rough but compassionate Texas wildcatter who recognizes Sarah's determination and intelligence. After weeks of failed drilling attempts and mounting debt, the workers finally strike a massive oil gusher that erupts across the property. The well begins producing thousands of barrels of oil per day, instantly transforming Sarah into one of the wealthiest children in America.

News of Sarah's fortune spreads rapidly across Oklahoma and neighboring states. Reporters sensationalize her story, calling her "the richest colored girl in America." The sudden wealth attracts swindlers, corrupt businessmen, and state officials who attempt to gain control of her estate through legal loopholes and racist guardianship laws designed to prevent Black citizens from independently managing large sums of money.

A court-appointed white guardian is assigned to oversee Sarah's finances, limiting her family's access to the money generated from the oil wells. Several businessmen pressure the family into signing fraudulent contracts that would transfer ownership of the land and mineral rights. Bert and a handful of allies attempt to help the Rectors navigate the increasingly dangerous situation, though some associates betray the family for profit.

Sarah gradually realizes that adults around her underestimate her intelligence because of her age and race. Determined to protect her family, she begins secretly teaching herself mathematics, bookkeeping, and contract law. She studies oil agreements and financial documents, eventually discovering forged clauses hidden inside contracts intended to steal her royalties.

As racial hostility intensifies, threats against the family increase. White mobs gather outside their property, and several men attempt to sabotage the oil operation. Sarah's parents consider abandoning the land entirely, fearing violence similar to the racial terror spreading throughout Oklahoma during the oil boom.

After exposing corruption tied to her guardian and several oil investors, Sarah gains greater legal authority over her estate. With Bert's assistance, she restructures the oil leases to ensure her family retains long-term profits from the wells. The family eventually relocates to Kansas City to escape the dangers and racism of Oklahoma while maintaining control of their fortune from a safer distance.

In the film's final act, Sarah matures into a confident young businesswoman who understands both the opportunities and burdens created by wealth. Though still confronted by discrimination, she uses her money to secure education, stability, and independence for her family. The closing scenes emphasize that Sarah's success was not simply the result of luck, but of persistence, intelligence, and resilience against systems designed to dispossess her.

An epilogue explains that Sarah Rector became one of the first Black female millionaires in the United States and remained an important historical figure whose story was largely forgotten for decades before being rediscovered.

Cast

Production

In July 2024, principal photography was underway in Oklahoma for Sarah's Oil, which was directed, co-produced, and co-written by Cyrus Nowrasteh with Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh.[5] In August, filming had wrapped, when Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan, Kenric Green, Adyan Copes, Stelio Savante, and Mel Rodriguez were revealed to have joined the cast.[6][7]

The film was shot primarily in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.[8]

Release

Sarah's Oil was released in the United States on November 7, 2025 by Amazon MGM Studios, having been moved ahead from its original December 25, 2025 date.[6][9]

Reception

Box office

It debuted at #4 at the box office for its opening weekend, grossing $4.5 million.[10]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10.[11][12] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Black Reel Awards February 16, 2026 Outstanding Breakthrough Performance Naya Desir-Johnson Nominated [13]
Celebration of Cinema and Television December 9, 2025 Rising Star – Film Won [14]
Movieguide Awards February 6, 2026 Faith and Freedom Award for Movies Sarah's Oil Nominated [15]
Best Movie for Mature Audiences Won
Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies, Actor Zachary Levi Nominated
Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies, Actress Naya Desir-Johnson Won
NAACP Image Awards February 28, 2026 Outstanding Motion Picture Sarah's Oil Nominated [16]
Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture Naya Desir-Johnson Won

References

  1. "Sarah's Oil [PG]". Australian Classification Board. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  2. "After four films, this is why 'Sarah's Oil' producer keeps coming back to Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  3. "Sarah's Oil – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  4. "Sarah's Oil". Writers Guild of America West. October 23, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  5. Jackson, Thomas (July 19, 2024). "From Freedman to Millionaire". MVSkoke Media. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  6. Grobar, Matt (August 5, 2024). "Zachary Levi & Naya Desir-Johnson To Topline Amazon MGM Drama 'Sarah's Oil'; Sonequa Martin-Green And Garret Dillahunt Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  7. McDonnell, Brandy (October 24, 2024). "Amazon, Cherokee Film announce partnerships on Oklahoma-made movie, student scholarships". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  8. "From Freedman to Millionaire". Mvskokemedia. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  9. "Theatrical Release Changes for the Week Ending May 18, 2025". The Numbers. Archived from the original on July 7, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  10. Domestic 2025 Weekend 45
  11. "Sarah's Oil". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  12. "Sarah's Oil". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  13. "26th Annual Black Reel Awards Nominees". Black Reel Awards. December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  14. Hammond, Pete (October 21, 2025). "Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, Sterling K. Brown, Tessa Thompson Among Honorees For 8th Critics Choice Celebration Of Black Cinema & TV". Deadline. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  15. Fuster, Jeremy (January 20, 2026). "'The Chosen,' 'House of David' Among Nominees for 33rd Movieguide Awards".
  16. Grein, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2026.