The charming new independent feature “Surprised by Oxford” is now available for streaming, exclusively on Angel Studios’ platform. This heartfelt adaptation of Carolyn Weber’s memoir, written and directed by Ryan Whitaker, tells a personal and poignant story that delves into themes of love, vulnerability, and faith.

“The Angel Guild has always leaned into true stories that reflect deeper questions of life,” said David Fischer, Director of Business Affairs and Acquisitions at Angel Studios. He added, “’Surprised by Oxford’ explores what’s most important and connects with viewers of all ages.”

Set in the iconic university town in England, the film has been described by as a “love letter to Oxford.” It tells the story of Caro Drake, a brilliant but emotionally guarded scholar who arrives at the prestigious university with a singular goal—achieving her PhD. However, her life takes unexpected turns as she forms a deep and often tumultuous friendship with a charming young man, leading her to confront life’s mysteries, her own vulnerability, and the possibility of love.

Whitaker (“The Jesus Music”) brings Weber’s memoir to the screen after almost five years of thoughtful development. “The book was recommended to me by my mom and sister,” Whitaker said. “It touched on so many of my interests, like British culture, Oxford, and C.S. Lewis. I fell in love with the story because it’s not just a coming-of-age tale, it’s also a romance and a spiritual journey—all of those paths connected in such an interesting way.”

Adapting a nearly 400-page memoir into a feature-length film was a challenge Whitaker embraced.

“Trying to find the film version of the story hiding in that large book was definitely difficult,” he admits. Central to the film’s authenticity was Oxford itself. “If we couldn’t shoot it on location in Oxford, we wouldn’t have made the movie,” Whitaker said. “There’s no way to replicate the atmosphere. It’s such a unique place.”

The production faced challenges shooting in Oxford, including logistical hurdles like limited parking and navigating the busy tourist and university schedules, but Whitaker felt the setting was crucial to capturing the heart of the story. “We were very fortunate to gain access to all the locations we needed, even during term time.”

In addition to its unique setting, “Surprised by Oxford” boasts a great cast, including Rose Reid (“Finding You”), Ruairi O’Connor (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”), Phyllis Logan (“Downton Abbey”), Simon Callow (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”), and Mark Williams (“Harry Potter”).

“Rose was really charming and likable,” Whitaker said, “and I knew we needed someone like that for Caro, who could be unlikable at times but still draw people in.”

Caro is a strong, complex woman navigating both her academic pursuits and personal growth, and Whitaker was conscious of how important it was to tell her story with care.

“I think it’s so important to invite collaborators into the process, especially when you’re telling a story about someone from a different perspective,” he explained. “I trusted Carolyn [Weber] throughout the process, and Rose was an incredible collaborator as well. I always made sure to listen when she or others had feedback on how Caro would react or behave in certain situations.”

Though “Surprised by Oxford” is a love story, it also incorporates a discussion of faith. However, Whitaker was careful to avoid making the film feel like a traditional evangelical offering. “I never wanted the story to feel heavy-handed,” he said. “It’s a spiritual journey, but I wanted to explore that in a way that would resonate with a broader audience.”

The film weaves faith into the narrative through Caro’s relationship with the writings of C.S. Lewis, specifically his idea of sehnsucht—a deep, almost sacred longing. “Lewis’s concept of this longing for something beyond the self, this emotional connection to the divine through art and literature, felt like a really interesting way to explore faith in the film,” Whitaker reflects. “It’s ultimately about yearning for something more.”

By steering clear of overt sermonizing, Whitaker hoped to connect with audiences from all walks of life.

“I have a lot of friends in the faith-based movie world, and they’re doing great work, but for me, I wasn’t interested in making a movie that felt like it was preaching to the choir. I think people can sense when the agenda of a film becomes more important than the story itself.”

As “Surprised by Oxford” enlargens its through Angel Studios, Whitaker hopes viewers will be moved by its authenticity and beauty. “It’s hard to make Oxford look ugly,” Whitaker joked. But it’s clear the film is more than just a series of pretty shots. At its heart, “Surprised by Oxford” is a reflection on love, loss, faith, and the transformative power of human connection. For Whitaker, it’s a deeply personal project, one that he hopes will resonate with audiences far beyond the beautiful British town.

“Surprised by Oxford” is available to stream exclusively on the Angel Studios app.