Director Cyrus Nowrasteh has created a movie that will charm families and faith-based audiences with its charming characters inspired by a true story.<\/p>\n
\u201cSarah\u2019s Oil\u201d begins in 1913, when 11-year-old Sarah, who is a descendant of the Muscogee Creek Nation, is given about 160 acres of land under the Treaty of 1866.<\/p>\n
The land in Glenpool, Oklahoma, doesn\u2019t appear to be good for much. But Sarah \u2013 played wonderfully by Naya Desir-Johnson \u2013 insists there\u2019s oil under the surface, saying that God has told her so.<\/p>\n
Her father (Kenric Green) is skeptical but he helps the little girl find an oil company that will drill on the property. Sarah is told that there is no hope of finding oil on the land.<\/p>\n
Still, Sarah insists it\u2019s there. Wildcatter Bert (Zachary Levi) and his business partner take over the drilling because Sarah is so determined. Besides, the oil company has left all its equipment behind \u2013 maybe the company representatives know more than they\u2019re telling.<\/p>\n
Danger is lurking for Sarah and her family, who experience an incident that leaves them terrified, especially after two Native American children are killed in a land dispute. Then a civil rights attorney and a Black journalist become involved with Sarah\u2019s story, which begins to make headlines.<\/p>\n
Racial injustice plays a major part of this story. It\u2019s not always easy to hear and see how people of color are degraded.<\/p>\n
I liked seeing how the smart, resolute Sarah stands firm throughout the proceedings, even when violence is afoot. Also, it\u2019s nice to see a film that isn\u2019t a \u201cstar project\u201d and lets other capable actors have a chance.<\/p>\n
This is an uplifting tale, all the more so because it\u2019s based on the real-life experiences of a woman you\u2019ll \u201cmeet\u201d briefly at the end of the film.<\/p>\n
3 stars<\/p>\n
Running time: One hour and 43 minutes.<\/p>\n
In theaters.<\/p>\n
Rated: PG for violence and racial slurs.<\/p>\n
Watch the trailer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n