Tyler Perry’s “Straw” is an Emotionally Powerful Experience

Everyone has bad days — days that make life feel heavy, overwhelming, even unlivable. But for Janiyah Wilkinson (Taraji P. Henson), that bad day turned into something much darker. Not only did she lose the person she cared about most — her daughter — but she also fell completely apart. The process of losing her mind — the turmoil, the anguish, and the unfairness within a system designed to make you fail — hits very close to home.

Janiyah is a single mother, battling to keep her sick daughter, Aria, alive while wrestling with financial struggles that feel impossible to break free from. She’s barely keeping their heads above water — just enough for food, a roof over their heads, and the trips to the hospital when Aria’s seizures become alarming. Does this sound familiar? If you know the struggles of Black single mothers, then you know this story. Even when worn down, they show up — just like Janiyah.

But there’s a breaking point, even for the strongest. Tyler Perry lets us see that moment — when Janiyah reaches it — with understanding and compassion. Her boss fired her and kept her paycheck, disregarding her pleas for fairness. In a moment of rage and chaos, during a botched bank robbery, she finds herself pulling the trigger. Her landlord then throws her and her daughter’s belongings outside for being late on rent. So she heads to the bank — not to rob it — but to cash a paycheck that’s already hers. An unruly police officer then crosses the final barrier, threatening her and adding more pressure. All these unfair struggles slowly break Janiyah, piece by piece.

Too often, we see people’s actions without understanding their struggles. The FBI, who arrive to “neutralize” the bank hostage situation, view her as a criminal — ignoring the fact that there’s a woman whose spirit has been bruised, broken, and battered for far too long. She tried asking for help quietly, but nobody listened — until the moment she demanded it through loud action.

“Straw” emphasizes the power of kindness — how much a simple moment of compassion can make a world of difference. All it took was Officer Raymond (Teyana Taylor) and bank manager Nicole (Sherri Shepherd) — two women who chose to see Janiyah for more than just a suspect. They recognized her struggles and treated her with dignity and understanding. Officer Raymond went above and beyond, making sure Janiyah was heard when the rest of the world disregarded her. Nicole supported her, offering solace and a chance for a new start — promises that meant everything to someone wrestling with immense pain.

However, the film’s plot twist seems to change the narrative and raise a few pivotal questions. It is revealed toward the film’s ending that Janiyah had been hallucinating the entire day. Her daughter, Aria, died the night before — which means all the crimes she committed were, in a way, for nothing. Her hallucinations were her coping mechanism for grief. So is she a victim, like she claims? If yes, then did she imagine the support of the crowd that rallied at the bank? Or was it a manifestation meant to pacify herself for the crimes she committed?

These questions may never be answered, and the film leaves it up to you to decide. But if you’re on Janiyah’s side, then you’ll conclude that — regardless of whether she was a victim — she’s a victim of life and its circumstances. Those are things you can’t hallucinate.

Taraji P. Henson delivers a raw, vulnerable, yet powerful performance as Janiyah. She fully embodies the character with every moment, every word, and every break. The Oscar nominee certainly deserves an upgrade to Oscar winner because there’s something special about the way she brings Janiyah to life. From the moment she comes on screen, it’s clear as day that she’s delivering the performance of a lifetime — and she did. Imagining someone else in the role of Janiyah is quite difficult because she truly lived that character.

Teyana Taylor and Sherri Shepherd bring much-needed depth as strong supporting players — matching Henson’s performance with their own. Taylor’s firm yet understanding demeanor as Officer Raymond resonates, while Shepherd’s kindness brings a softness to a heavy story.

Perry’s directing captures the essence of the world he was trying to create — a world backed by injustice and the reaction of the victims who barely make it out alive. Justyn Moro’s cinematography enhances the emotional storytelling, and the beauty of it is that it’s subtle yet compelling enough to keep viewers hooked on every word said and every action taken by the characters. It’s no wonder “Straw” is the most-watched movie worldwide on Netflix.

In a way, “Straw” is a love letter to all Black mothers battling against overwhelming struggles. Perry, through this film, is stating, “We see you, we hear you, and we appreciate you.”

“Straw” is now streaming on Netflix.

Release Date: June 6, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes

Streaming Service: Netflix

Director: Tyler Perry

Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Glynn Turnman, and Rockmond Dunbar