Why You Won’t Want to Miss This Inspiring True Story Arriving in Theaters

Published: November 4, 2025

By Kayla DeKraker

An inspiring, untold story called SARAH’S OIL releases Nov. 7, and cast and crew are excited for audiences to learn more about Sarah Rector and her story.

“It was an untold story that you know about this young African American woman who was resilient, did not say no in the early 1900s,” producer Derrick Williams told Movieguide®. “Who would have thought right that she would have that kind of tenacity and drive and grit.”

“SARAH’S OIL is inspired by the remarkable true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right,” a synopsis reads. “As greedy oil sharks close in, Sarah turns to her family, friends, and some Texas wildcatters to maintain control of her oil-rich land, eventually becoming among the nation’s first female African American millionaires—at eleven years old. “

Actor Zachary Williams shared how the story moved him.

“Reading the script, I was blown away, not just by her fate, but also this is an incredible true story that I’ve never heard of, like we talked about before,” he said. “This needs to be told. The audiences need to see movies that are inspiring like this. You even learn about someone else’s incredible faith like Sarah’s. It should only bolster your faith. It should only remind you that God is good.”

Sonequa Martin-Green who plays Sarah’s mother in the film shared how this role affected her faith: “It was inspiring, and it really, it really showed us…and this is what Sarah Rector does, this is what Joe and Rose Rector do, they show you what it looks like, because it really happened.”

She added, “They really did forge a path. They really did solidify themselves in American history because they were faith forward, they put God first, and they paid the price to answer the call of God. And so, I feel like that in and of itself. If that doesn’t inspire you, especially as believers, you know where we want to be faith forward.”

Naya Desir-Johnson who plays Sarah, told Movieguide® of the movie’s message, “[Don’t let] no one let anyone tell you no if you work hard and put your heart to it.”

SARAH’S OIL comes from Wonder Project. The studio celebrated the upcoming release on Instagram, writing, “Against all odds, her faith and friendship made a miracle happen. Don’t miss the inspirational true story of Sarah Rector in #SarahsOil. In theaters this Friday.”

Check back to Movieguide.org for the full review.