A story Netflix viewers can’t stop talking about — and no one is ready for how real it feels
Inspired by chilling true events, this film follows a 13-year-old girl forced to erase who she is just to stay alive. Every glance is dangerous. Every silence is survival. Fear presses in, but courage refuses to disappear.
💔 “Devastating in the quietest way.”
⚡ NOW STREAMING — once you start, you won’t breathe the same way again.

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My Name Is Sara: Netflix’s Chilling True Story of a 13-Year-Old’s Fight for Survival That’s Leaving Viewers Breathless

In a world where stories of resilience amid unimaginable horror continue to captivate, Netflix has unearthed a gem that’s sparking intense conversations across the globe. My Name Is Sara, a 2019 drama now streaming on the platform, draws from the harrowing true experiences of Sara Góralnik, a 13-year-old Polish Jewish girl who erased her identity to evade Nazi persecution during World War II. Inspired by chilling real events, the film follows her desperate journey to stay alive in Nazi-occupied Ukraine, where every glance could betray her, and silence becomes her only shield. Fear permeates every frame, yet courage flickers unyieldingly. As one critic aptly described it, the movie is “devastating in the quietest way,” a sentiment echoed by viewers who find themselves unable to look away—or breathe the same afterward. With its recent addition to Netflix’s library in early 2026, the film has surged in popularity, amassing millions of views and prompting emotional outpourings on social media. This isn’t just another Holocaust drama; it’s a visceral reminder of humanity’s darkest chapters, told through the eyes of a child forced to grow up overnight.

Directed by Steven Oritt and penned by David Himmelstein, My Name Is Sara premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival in 2019, where it garnered acclaim for its authenticity and tension. Executive produced by Mickey Shapiro, Sara’s real-life son, the film blends historical accuracy with thriller-like suspense, making it a standout in the genre. As Netflix viewers dive in, they’re confronted with a narrative that’s as real as it is relentless, proving that some stories, no matter how painful, demand to be told.

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Prime Video: My Name Is Sara

The True Events That Inspired the Film: Sara Góralnik’s Remarkable Survival

At the heart of My Name Is Sara lies the extraordinary true story of Sara Góralnik, born in 1929 in Korets, a town in what was then Poland (now Ukraine). In September 1942, as the Nazis intensified their genocide against Jews, Sara’s family was targeted. Her parents and siblings were murdered, leaving the 13-year-old (portrayed as 12 in some accounts) as the sole survivor. Fleeing the ghetto with her brother Moishe, Sara soon found herself alone after he was captured. To survive, she adopted the identity of her Christian classmate, Manya Romanchuk, and posed as an Orthodox Christian orphan.

This act of erasure wasn’t mere disguise; it was a complete reinvention. Sara sought refuge in the Ukrainian countryside, where she was hired as a nanny and farmhand by Pavlo and Nadya, a couple with their own marital secrets. For over two years, until the war’s end in 1945, she lived in constant peril, navigating anti-Semitic sentiments, Nazi patrols, and the risk of exposure. One wrong word, one slip in her fabricated backstory, could mean death. Remarkably, Sara not only survived but thrived in her role, forming complex bonds with her employers while guarding her secret.

The film’s authenticity stems from direct input from Sara’s family. Mickey Shapiro, her son, served as executive producer, ensuring the story honored his mother’s legacy. Sara herself shared her experiences late in life, contributing to the USC Shoah Foundation’s archives. She passed away in 2018 at age 89, but her tale endures as a testament to quiet courage. As Oritt noted in interviews, the film aims to highlight lesser-known aspects of the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, where collaboration and survival intertwined in morally gray ways. The production shot on location in Ukraine and Poland, adding visceral realism to the landscapes that once hid Sara’s truth.

This basis in reality amplifies the film’s impact. Unlike fictionalized accounts, My Name Is Sara draws from survivor testimonies, reminding viewers that over 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews perished in the Holocaust, often through mass shootings rather than camps. Sara’s story illuminates the “Holocaust by bullets,” a brutal phase where entire communities vanished overnight. In a time when Holocaust education faces challenges, the film serves as an educational tool, blending history with human drama.

Plot Breakdown: A Tense Tale of Concealment and Complexity

Without delving into spoilers, My Name Is Sara unfolds as a slow-burn thriller, chronicling Sara’s escape and adaptation. The film opens with the chaos of the ghetto liquidation, thrusting viewers into Sara’s terror as she and her brother flee into the unknown. Separated and desperate, Sara arrives at the Kaczmarek farm (fictionalized names for Pavlo and Nadya), where she’s employed to care for their sons and assist with chores.

The narrative excels in depicting everyday dangers: reciting Christian prayers, avoiding suspicious neighbors, and masking her grief. Sara’s interactions with Pavlo—a gruff, potentially sympathetic figure—and Nadya, harboring her own resentments, add layers of interpersonal tension. The film explores themes of identity, betrayal, and unlikely alliances, as Sara discovers the couple’s marital strife, mirroring her internal conflicts.

Clocking in at 111 minutes, the pacing is deliberate, building suspense through subtle moments rather than overt action. Cinematography captures the Ukrainian countryside’s beauty and isolation, contrasting with the lurking horrors. The score, sparse and haunting, heightens the unease, making silence a character in itself. While some critics note occasional expository dialogue, the film’s strength lies in its focus on Sara’s perspective, turning survival into a psychological battle.

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

Cast and Crew: Bringing Authenticity to the Screen

Newcomer Zuzanna Surowy delivers a tour-de-force as Sara, her wide-eyed vulnerability and steely resolve anchoring the film. Discovered through extensive casting in Poland, Surowy’s performance earned praise for its nuance; Roger Ebert’s review called it a “gift” that absorbs and reflects the surroundings. Eryk Lubos as Pavlo brings depth to a potentially villainous role, portraying a man torn between duty and decency. Michalina Olszanska as Nadya adds emotional complexity, her character’s secrets intertwining with Sara’s.

Director Steven Oritt, known for documentaries like Accidental Climber, infuses the film with a documentarian’s eye for detail. Writer David Himmelstein, with credits including Soul of the Game, crafts dialogue that feels lived-in. The Polish-U.S. co-production involved Media Luna New Films and Watchout Studio, with filming in authentic locations to honor the history.

Critical Reception: Praise for Tension and Performance

Upon its 2022 U.S. theatrical release by Strand Releasing, My Name Is Sara received solid reviews. Roger Ebert awarded 3.5/4 stars, lauding it as “torment in cinematic form” and highlighting Surowy’s anchoring presence. The Los Angeles Times called it “absorbing and affecting,” a worthy addition to Holocaust cinema. Variety’s Dennis Harvey described it as “tense and engrossing.”

On Rotten Tomatoes, while aggregate scores are limited due to fewer reviews, critics consensus leans positive, with an average rating around 7.8/10. Some, like The New York Times, noted stiffness and vagueness in subplots, but overall, the film is celebrated for its suspenseful study of adaptation. Audience reactions on IMDb average 7.0/10, with users praising its emotional depth and historical insight.

Festivals honored it: Winner of the Audience Award at the Boston Jewish Film Festival and Best Feature at the San Diego Jewish Film Festival.

Viewer Reactions: Emotional Outpourings and Social Media Buzz

Since hitting Netflix in 2026, My Name Is Sara has ignited passionate responses. Viral Facebook posts promote it as “Netflix’s most haunting true story,” with comments reflecting shock and admiration: “It’s called My Name Is Sara… a powerful 2019 film about a young Polish Jewish girl who steals her Christian best friend’s identity to survive.” Others share personal connections, like “my name is Sara….I have the book right here.”

On platforms like Reddit and Facebook groups, viewers call it “profoundly moving” and “harrowing,” emphasizing its quiet devastation. One user noted, “This was a wonderful film. Had I known… that it was a true story I would have been even more immersed.” Discussions highlight its relevance amid rising anti-Semitism and conflicts in Ukraine, with fans urging others to watch for its educational value.

The film’s quiet intensity resonates, with many describing it as “breathless” viewing. As one Facebook commenter put it, “Viewers are calling it Netflix’s most powerful film in years.”

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🎥 MY NAME IS SARA (2019) | Movie Trailer | Full HD | 1080p

Cultural Impact: A Timely Reminder in Turbulent Times

My Name Is Sara arrives on Netflix at a poignant moment, as global events echo WWII’s divisions. Set in Ukraine during Nazi occupation, it underscores the region’s tragic history, drawing parallels to current conflicts. The film’s portrayal of Ukrainian characters—complex, not monolithic—challenges stereotypes, showing how ordinary people navigated moral ambiguities under oppression.

It contributes to Holocaust remembrance, supported by the Shoah Foundation, emphasizing stories of hidden children. With over 1,000 such survivors documented, Sara’s tale humanizes statistics, fostering empathy. In education, it’s used in classrooms to teach resilience and identity.

The film’s resurgence on Netflix highlights streaming’s role in reviving indie gems, introducing them to wider audiences. Its “now streaming” status has boosted viewership, proving true stories endure.

Looking Ahead: Legacy and Further Exploration

As My Name Is Sara continues to stream, its legacy grows. Plans for educational tie-ins and potential sequels exploring Sara’s postwar life (she emigrated to the U.S., married, and raised a family) are rumored. For now, it stands as a beacon of courage, urging viewers to confront history’s shadows.

In a review, one critic summed it up: “An impressive true story of Shoah survival… told with a striking thriller vibe.” Once you start, you won’t breathe the same way again—a promise Netflix delivers with this unforgettable film.