Straw Review: Heartbreak, Truth, and Taraji at Her Best

 

Now streaming on Netflix

I watched Straw last night and it shook me. I didn’t get to sleep until well after 3 a.m., and even then, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s been a long time since a movie hit me like this. Honestly, I thought Tyler Perry only made comedies. This changed that for me. I’ll definitely be watching more of his work now.

Straw follows Janiyah, played by Taraji P. Henson, a single mother pushed beyond her limit. She’s dealing with eviction, job loss, a child’s illness, and a healthcare system that just doesn’t care. When she walks into a bank, what starts as a desperate plea for help turns into something much bigger and more heartbreaking. By the time the truth is revealed, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of it all. I sat there in complete silence, wrecked by the ending.

Taraji’s performance is the heart of this film. She’s raw and real. Critics are calling it one of her strongest roles yet. Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor add so much depth, and seeing Sinbad back on screen after recovering from a stroke made everything more emotional. His presence in that final scene hit me hard.

What I appreciated most is how real the story felt. Sure, it’s a movie, but the pain and desperation? That’s real life for a lot of people. The struggles Janiyah faces aren’t fiction. They’re happening right now to people who don’t get headlines. That’s why the film stays with you.

Some reviews called the movie over-the-top or heavy-handed. I don’t agree. When life hits this hard, it’s not going to feel neat or polished. It’s messy, and Perry doesn’t shy away from showing that.

This is not a light movie. You won’t put it on in the background while you scroll your phone. You’re going to feel it. And that’s the point.

I highly recommend watching Straw. Just don’t go into it expecting something easy. Bring tissues. And be ready to think about it long after the credits roll.