Tyler Perry’s Straw throws you straight into the chaos of Janiyah Wiltkinson’s life — a single mother having the worst day imaginable. Played brilliantly by Taraji P. Henson, Janiyah loses her job, faces eviction, and battles a broken system that pushes her to a shocking breaking point.
This isn’t your typical Tyler Perry film. Straw is darker, more intense, and emotionally raw. And when the twist hits, it completely changes how you see everything that came before.
Some are calling it Perry’s most powerful movie yet. Others say it goes too far. Either way, Straw has everyone talking — and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing the conversation.
The film follows Janiyah, a hardworking single mom in Atlanta who’s doing everything she can to keep her life together. Over the course of one very bad day, everything unravels — her paycheck gets withheld, her landlord threatens to kick her out, and a visit from child protective services sends her into a full-blown crisis.
The story is grounded in real-life struggles: poverty, motherhood, mental health, and a system that feels more like a trap than a safety net. What makes Straw different from most Perry films is how tightly focused it is. It doesn’t jump around. You’re locked in with Janiyah, and it’s tense from beginning to end.
The Performances
Taraji P. Henson is the reason this movie works. She’s in nearly every scene and carries it with incredible emotional weight. You can feel her fear, anger, and exhaustion — and when things finally boil over, it hits hard. Her performance alone is worth the watch.
The supporting cast, including Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, adds depth without stealing focus. It’s very much Henson’s movie, but she’s surrounded by characters who feel grounded and real.
That Twist (Spoiler Warning ⚠️)
Skip this part if you haven’t seen the film yet.
About three-quarters through the movie, we find out the truth: Janiyah’s daughter, Aria — the little girl she’s been protecting all day — is already dead. She passed away the night before, and everything Janiyah believed was happening with her daughter was a hallucination caused by a severe psychotic break.
It’s a devastating reveal. It doesn’t come off as a cheap trick — it’s hinted at throughout the film — but when it lands, it still hits like a punch to the chest. Suddenly, the title Straw makes sense. It’s not just about one bad day; it’s about all the straws that broke her long before that.
Why People Are Talking
It’s emotionally heavy. If you’ve ever felt like you were drowning in responsibilities, this movie will feel painfully relatable.
It’s a different side of Tyler Perry. Love him or not, this is one of his boldest films in years.
It leaves you thinking. Is this a mental health film? A social critique? A warning? All of the above?
Final Take
Tyler Perry’s Straw isn’t perfect — it’s messy, intense, and sometimes feels like it’s trying to do too much. But it’s also raw, gripping, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of movie that sticks with you after the credits roll.
If you’re in the mood for something heavy, powerful, and a little heartbreaking, Straw is worth your time. Just… maybe don’t watch it late at night.
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