As Sarah’s Oil arrives in theaters this week, audiences are being introduced to a remarkable true story that history nearly forgot. The film, directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and produced by Amazon MGM Studios in partnership with Kingdom Story Company, tells the story of Sarah Rector, a young African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s who defied the odds to become one of the wealthiest children in America.
Long before her story reached the big screen, Sarah Rector’s journey stood as a testament to resilience and faith. Born in 1902, she was allotted a parcel of seemingly barren land as part of the government’s division of Creek Nation territory. When oil was later discovered there, her life changed forever. By the age of eleven, Sarah had become one of the nation’s first African American millionaires. Her sudden fortune drew attention from across the country—some positive, some filled with greed and prejudice—but her family’s determination to protect what was rightfully hers became a defining part of her legacy.
The new film portrays that fight for control and dignity, emphasizing Sarah’s strength and the support of those who stood by her. In an era marked by racial inequality and economic hardship, her story shines as an example of courage and perseverance. Sarah’s Oil brings this history to life with a cast led by Naya Desir-Johnson as Sarah Rector, joined by Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Mel Rodriguez, Kenric Green, and Bridget Regan.
The project also draws inspiration from Tonya Bolden’s acclaimed book Searching for Sarah Rector, which has introduced the young oil baroness’s story to new generations of readers. The film aims to continue that mission—highlighting an overlooked chapter in American history while underscoring the timeless importance of family, faith, and integrity.
Sarah’s Oil opens exclusively in theaters November 7 from Amazon MGM Studios.