Review of Straw (2025) on Netflix
Straw, directed by Tyler Perry and streaming on Netflix, is an emotionally charged thriller that aims to deliver a gut-punch story about a single mother pushed to her breaking point. Starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah, with strong supporting performances from Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, the film dives into heavy themes of systemic injustice, mental health struggles, and the weight of unrelenting hardship. While it succeeds in moments of raw emotional power, it stumbles with pacing issues, heavy-handed plotting, and Perry’s signature melodramatic tendencies, making it a mixed but compelling watch.
The story follows Janiyah, a single mother in Atlanta juggling multiple jobs to support her daughter, Aria, who suffers from seizures and asthma. Her already precarious life unravels on a single catastrophic day: she faces eviction, job loss, a confrontation with a racist off-duty cop, and the threat of Child Protective Services taking Aria away. A chaotic series of events, including a robbery at her workplace, leads Janiyah to inadvertently spark a bank standoff, with her daughter’s science project mistaken for a bomb. The film builds to a shocking psychological twist that recontextualizes Janiyah’s actions, revealing the depth of her grief and mental strain.
What Works: Taraji P. Henson is the heart and soul of Straw. Her performance is nothing short of phenomenal, carrying the film through its weaker moments with raw intensity and vulnerability. She portrays Janiyah’s descent from exhaustion to desperation with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to feel her pain. Sherri Shepherd, as the empathetic bank manager Nicole, and Teyana Taylor, as the compassionate Detective Raymond, also shine, adding depth to their roles as women who see Janiyah’s humanity in a world that doesn’t. Their performances ground the film’s more exaggerated moments, creating genuine moments of connection that resonate.
The film’s social commentary, while not subtle, hits relevant notes. It tackles the crushing realities of poverty, systemic racism in healthcare and banking, and the invisibility of Black women’s struggles. The theme of “the last straw” feels universal, capturing how small indignities can pile up into an overwhelming breaking point. The psychological twist at the end is a standout, delivering a gut-wrenching revelation that forces you to rethink the entire narrative. It’s a bold move that adds layers to Janiyah’s character and elevates the film’s emotional stakes.
What Doesn’t Work: Despite its strengths, Straw is held back by Tyler Perry’s usual pitfalls. The plot often feels forced, piling on one misfortune after another in a way that borders on caricature. From the abusive landlord to the apathetic boss to the cartoonishly prejudiced cops, the script leans too heavily into archetypes, making the story feel less organic and more like a checklist of traumas. The pacing is uneven— the frenetic first 30 minutes bombard you with relentless drama, while the middle act slows to a crawl, diluting the tension of the bank standoff. The cinematography and production design also feel lackluster, with sets that look cheap and a visual style that doesn’t match the story’s emotional weight.
The late-game twist, while powerful, undermines some of the film’s themes by shifting focus from systemic issues to personal tragedy, which can feel like a cop-out. Additionally, some dialogue is clunky, and certain scenes—like Janiyah screaming in the rain—tip into melodrama that undercuts the film’s sincerity. The supporting cast, outside of Shepherd and Taylor, is underutilized, with characters like the landlord and Janiyah’s boss reduced to one-note villains.
Final Thoughts: Straw is a film that’s both powerful and flawed. Taraji P. Henson delivers an awards-worthy performance, and the supporting cast adds heart to a story that tackles real-world issues with urgency. However, Perry’s heavy-handed storytelling, uneven pacing, and reliance on melodrama keep it from reaching its full potential. It’s a film that will hit you hard—especially if you’ve ever felt pushed to your limit—but it’s not without its frustrations. If you’re a fan of Henson or Perry’s work, it’s worth a watch for the emotional ride and the standout twist, but don’t expect a polished masterpiece.
Rating: 6.5/10
Recommended for those who appreciate raw performances and are willing to overlook some narrative clunkiness. Grab tissues, and brace for a rollercoaster. Watch it on Netflix, but skip it if you’re not in the mood for a heavy, sometimes overwrought drama.
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