Straw Review: Taraji P. Henson Shines in Tyler Perry’s Thriller
Straw Review: A Heavy Drama Led by Powerful Performances
Tyler Perry returns with his Netflix thriller Straw, a story about a single mother pushed to her breaking point. Taraji P. Henson stars as Janiyah Watkinson, a woman doing her best to care for her sick daughter while facing crushing financial struggles.
Image source: Instagram/tarajiphenson
A Bad Day Spirals Out of Control
The film begins with Janiyah already under pressure. Her daughter Aria needs lunch money to avoid public embarrassment, her landlord threatens eviction, and work offers no relief. After a confrontation with her boss at the grocery store, a robbery goes wrong — and Janiyah ends up shooting both a thief and her boss in a moment of panic.
From Survivor to Suspect
With her daughter’s medication in her backpack and blood on her hands, Janiyah tries to cash her paycheck, only to end up at the center of a hostage crisis at a local bank. Her actions spark a police investigation, and the film explores how society pushes some people to desperate choices.
A Familiar Perry Formula
Straw follows Tyler Perry’s usual melodramatic style — intense plot twists, emotional monologues, and dramatic pacing.
The Performances That Save the Film
What stands out are the strong performances. Taraji P. Henson brings real emotion to her role, making Janiyah’s pain feel genuine. Teyana Taylor plays Detective Raymond, a Black officer who sees herself in Janiyah and tries to help her. Comedian Sherri Shepherd also shines as a bank manager who responds with unexpected empathy.
A Story About Black Women Being Seen
Straw has its flaws, but it tries to spotlight the challenges of Black single mothers — those who are often ignored or judged. Its most powerful moments come when the three lead women — Henson, Taylor, and Shepherd — find connection in a world that rarely sees them.
