Movie Review: What to know about Tyler Perry Netflix’s Straw

Theatrical release poster of Straw. Photo Credit- Wikipedia

Release Date: June 6, 2025

Director: Tyler Perry Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar

Streaming Platform: Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix release, Straw, has just dropped, marking his 24th feature film and his fourth collaboration with Taraji P. Henson. Premiering on June 7, the movie has already sparked a mix of intrigue and debate among viewers, blending Perry’s signature melodrama with a gritty exploration of a single mother’s breaking point. This piece is set to explore the film’s plot, direction style, language, cast, and overall impact.

Straw’s movie plot

Straw follows Janiyah (Taraji P. Henson), a single mother in Atlanta grappling with a cascade of misfortunes: unpaid bills, a sick daughter, and a frustrating job. When a botched robbery at her workplace spirals into chaos, Janiyah accidentally becomes an accomplice, thrusting her into a desperate fight to clear her name and protect her child. The narrative builds to an explosive climax where she confronts her past traumas and the systemic failures that pushed her to the edge. Perry frames this as a modern parable of resilience, similar to his earlier works like A Fall from Grace, but with a darker, more grounded tone. While the plot is compelling and rooted in relatable struggles, it leans heavily on the usual complicated twists like a sudden betrayal by a friend or very close associates that limits believability. The New York Times calls it “a very, very, very bad day turned into a sermon,” highlighting its mix of raw drama and morality.

Direction style in Straw

Tyler Perry takes the director’s chair, delivering quality yet uneven visual style. Straw immerses viewers in Janiyah’s chaotic world, with tight close-ups capturing her anguish and frantic action sequences like a tense chase through Atlanta’s streets. The Morocco filming location, doubling for Atlanta, lends an exotic texture, though some critics note it feels slightly disconnected from the urban setting. Perry’s direction shines in emotional beats, such as Janiyah’s tearful confrontation with her daughter’s illness, but fails in pacing where some scenes drag the storyline, and the climax feels rushed. Critics praises Perry’s intent to reach a breaking point, but the film’s thematic shifts from real-life struggles to sermon-like resolution leave it unbalanced.

Analyzing the cast in Straw

Taraji P. Henson is the major character in Straw with a powerhouse performance, her expressive eyes and raw vulnerability making Janiyah’s plight palpable. She carries the film, transitioning from desperation to defiance with finesse, though the script limits her range. Sherri Shepherd shines as Janiyah’s sassy best friend, injecting humor that balances the heaviness, while Teyana Taylor’s role as a conflicted accomplice adds depth. Sinbad, in a rare post-stroke appearance, brings gravitas as a wise mentor, though his screen time is brief.Movie critics view the casts intensity in elevating key scenes. X users laud Henson, with @NollyFanatic writing, “Taraji owns this movie, everyone else is just along for the ride.” The ensemble works, but underdeveloped supporting roles hinder the narrative’s full potential.

Straw’s rating and conclusion

Straw signals a major shift for Perry, trading his usual simple fare for a darker, more socially conscious narrative. Henson’s performance and the film’s early tension make it a gripping watch, while its focus on a Black woman’s struggle against the demands of society resonates deeply. The film is relatable no matter if you’re a Black woman or not. However, the film struggles with its focus on mortality, uneven pacing, and predictable plot turns, which slows its impact. Compared to Perry’s A Fall from Grace, Straw feels more ambitious but less polished, lacking the cohesion of his best works.

For fans of Perry’s melodrama or Henson’s star power, Straw offers enough to warrant a view. Yet, its preachy resolution and tonal inconsistencies may separate those seeking a pure thriller. Reactions are divided with some calling it “a tearjerker with heart,” while others finds it “too tiring for an action thriller.” The entire movie screen time just makes viewers experience sobriety and reflection but does not give an entire satisfaction.

Rating: 6/10. Straw is a raw, heartfelt effort that showcases Henson’s talent and Perry’s evolving style, but its uneven execution keeps it from greatness. Stream it on Netflix for a compelling, if flawed, journey of survival and redemption.