🚨 NETFLIX VIEWERS WERE NOT READY FOR THIS.
A child. A stolen identity. A world that demanded she disappear. What unfolds is a haunting true story of courage under unimaginable pressure, where growing up meant learning how to hide. Each scene tightens like a breath held too long.
🔥 Devastating. Powerful. Deeply human.
🎬 Streaming on Netflix now — the kind of story people can’t stop sharing once they finish it.

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My Name Is Sara: Netflix’s Haunting True Story of a Child’s Stolen Identity and Unimaginable Courage That Viewers Weren’t Prepared For

Netflix viewers have been caught off guard by a film that’s as quietly devastating as it is profoundly human: My Name Is Sara. This 2019 biographical drama, now streaming on the platform, plunges audiences into the chilling true events of World War II, following a 13-year-old Jewish girl forced to erase her identity to survive Nazi persecution. A child thrust into a world demanding her disappearance, Sara’s story unfolds with the tension of a breath held too long—each scene a masterclass in suspense, where growing up means mastering the art of hiding. Described as “devastating,” “powerful,” and “deeply human,” the movie has sparked conversations that linger long after the credits roll, with fans sharing how it reshapes their understanding of resilience under pressure. Based on the life of Holocaust survivor Sara Góralnik, the film isn’t just historical fiction; it’s a visceral reminder of courage in the face of unimaginable horror, now reaching new audiences on Netflix in 2026 and proving why some stories demand to be revisited.

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My Name is Sara | United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presents My Name is Sara | My Name is Sara

Directed by Steven Oritt and written by David Himmelstein, My Name Is Sara premiered at festivals in 2019, earning awards for its authentic portrayal of survival. Its arrival on Netflix has amplified its reach, drawing comparisons to other Holocaust narratives while standing out for its focus on a child’s perspective in occupied Ukraine. As viewers grapple with its raw intensity, the film serves as both a historical document and a thriller, where silence is survival and every glance could spell doom. In an era where true stories dominate streaming, this one hits harder, leaving audiences sharing it obsessively—proof that no one was truly ready for its emotional depth.

The True Events Behind the Film: Sara Góralnik’s Harrowing Survival

My Name Is Sara is rooted in the real-life ordeal of Sara Góralnik, born in 1929 in Korets, a town in what was then Poland (now Ukraine). In September 1942, at just 13 years old, Sara’s world shattered when Nazis liquidated the Jewish ghetto in her hometown, murdering her parents and siblings. Fleeing with her brother Moishe, she soon found herself alone after he was captured. To evade detection, Sara adopted the identity of her Christian classmate, Manya Romanchuk, posing as an Orthodox Christian orphan. This wasn’t mere pretense; it was a complete erasure of self, requiring her to suppress her Jewish heritage while navigating a hostile landscape rife with anti-Semitism.

Sara sought refuge in the Ukrainian countryside, where she was hired as a nanny and farmhand by a couple named Pavlo and Nadya (fictionalized in the film as the Kaczmareks). For over two years, until liberation in 1945, she lived in constant fear, reciting Christian prayers, avoiding suspicious villagers, and concealing her grief. The real Sara later recounted how she formed uneasy bonds with her employers, who harbored their own secrets amid marital strife. Her survival hinged on quick wits and adaptability—qualities that saved her from Nazi patrols, partisan raids, and everyday betrayals.

The film’s authenticity comes from direct family involvement. Sara’s son, Mickey Shapiro, executive-produced the project, drawing from his mother’s testimonies archived with the USC Shoah Foundation. Sara shared her story late in life, passing away in 2018 at 89, but her experiences informed every detail. Director Oritt emphasized highlighting the “Holocaust by bullets” in Eastern Europe—a lesser-known phase of mass shootings that claimed 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews. Unlike camp-focused narratives, this story explores rural survival, moral ambiguities, and collaboration under occupation. Filmed on location in Ukraine and Poland, the movie captures the era’s stark beauty and isolation, making Sara’s isolation palpable.

Sara’s postwar life added layers: emigrating to the U.S., marrying, and raising a family while keeping her trauma secret for decades. Her tale joins thousands of “hidden children” stories, humanizing Holocaust statistics and underscoring themes of identity and resilience. In turbulent times, with echoes of conflict in Ukraine, the film feels eerily timely, reminding viewers of history’s cycles.

Plot Overview: A Tense Narrative of Concealment and Moral Gray Areas

Without spoilers, My Name Is Sara opens in 1942 Eastern Poland amid ghetto chaos, as Sara (Zuzanna Surowy) and Moishe (Konrad Cichon) flee into the unknown. Separated, Sara arrives at the farm, claiming to be Manya, a runaway Christian. Employed by Pavlo (Eryk Lubos) and Nadya (Michalina Olszanska), she tends to their sons and chores while guarding her secret.

The story builds suspense through everyday perils: mastering religious rituals, deflecting Pavlo’s intentions, and navigating the couple’s volatile marriage. External threats—Nazi occupiers, Russian partisans, and anti-Semitic locals—amplify the danger. The 111-minute runtime uses deliberate pacing, focusing on Sara’s internal struggle rather than action. Cinematography by Artur Sokolski contrasts rural serenity with lurking horrors, while a sparse score heightens unease. Themes of identity, betrayal, and humanity emerge as Sara discovers her employers’ secrets, mirroring her own deception.

The film deviates slightly from history for drama but stays true to Sara’s essence, portraying survival as a psychological war. It’s a thriller at heart, with scenes that tighten like held breaths, culminating in liberation’s bittersweet relief.

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My Name Is Sara – Official US Trailer – YouTube

Cast and Production: Authentic Performances in a Collaborative Effort

Zuzanna Surowy shines as Sara, her debut capturing wide-eyed fear and quiet resolve. Discovered in Poland, her performance anchors the film, earning praise for absorbing the era’s torment. Eryk Lubos as Pavlo adds nuance to a complex role—gruff yet potentially redemptive—while Michalina Olszanska’s Nadya brings emotional depth, her suspicions testing Sara relentlessly.

Supporting actors like Konrad Cichon (Moishe) and others flesh out the world, with multilingual dialogue (English, Polish, Russian, German) enhancing realism, though some critics note English among Ukrainians as distracting. Oritt’s documentary background infuses authenticity, while Himmelstein’s script draws from Sara’s interviews. Produced by Watchout Studio and Media Luna New Films, with Shoah Foundation support, the film honors its source.

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‘My Name Is Sara’ Film On Holocaust Survivor Premieres In Metro Detroit

Critical Acclaim: Tension and Authenticity Praised

Upon release, My Name Is Sara earned festival accolades, including Audience Awards at Boston and San Diego Jewish Film Festivals. Roger Ebert gave 3.5/4 stars, calling it “torment in cinematic form” with thriller vibes. Variety deemed it “tense and engrossing,” while the Los Angeles Times found it “absorbing.”

Rotten Tomatoes averages 7.8/10, with praise for Surowy’s “gift” and historical insight, though some note stiffness or vagueness. IMDb rates 6.7/10, users calling it “wonderful” and immersive.

Viewer Reactions: Emotional Shares and Personal Connections

On Netflix, viewers describe it as “heart-shattering,” sharing on Facebook: “Netflix’s most haunting true story… a 13-year-old girl forced to bury her name.” Comments reflect shock: “Had I known it was true, I would have been even more immersed.” Groups promote it as “profoundly moving,” urging watches for its relevance.

Though recent X buzz is low, earlier discussions highlight its power, with fans noting it restores “faith and fear.” Viewers connect personally, one saying, “My name is Sara… I have the book.” It’s the kind of story shared obsessively, altering breaths and perspectives.

Cultural Resonance: A Timely Echo of History

My Name Is Sara contributes to Holocaust education, portraying Ukrainian complexities amid occupation. In 2026, with global tensions, it underscores empathy and remembrance. Streaming revives indie films, introducing Sara’s legacy to new generations.

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Prime Video: My Name Is Sara

As a “deeply human” tale, it humanizes survival, proving why such stories endure—devastating yet inspiring.