Some movies are made to entertain. Others aim to shock. But Straw, Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix release, does something deeper: it touches a nerve you didn’t know was raw.

Released on June 6, 2025, Straw is the kind of film that leaves a mark. Not just because of its powerful story, but because it feels real. The pain, the silence, the desperation—it all hits too close to home. And that’s exactly why you’ll find yourself wiping away tears by the final scene.

One Woman, Too Much to Carry

At the centre of Straw is Janiyah Wiltkinson, played masterfully by Taraji P. Henson. Janiyah is a single mom doing her best in a world that seems determined to break her. Her daughter is sick. She’s behind on rent. Her job is gone. And no one, not the healthcare system, not her landlord, not even the church, is coming to help.

When she walks into a bank with a gun, you’re not watching a criminal, you’re watching someone who has lost everything, even herself.

And then comes the twist: Her daughter, Aria, is already gone.

The entire hostage scene? It’s not fully real. It’s the manifestation of Janiyah’s trauma and heartbreak. It’s her mind’s way of trying to make sense of the unimaginable.

Why It Hits So Hard

The emotional impact of Straw isn’t just about what happens; it’s about what it means. The film doesn’t focus on villains in the traditional sense. Instead, it shows the quiet, everyday systems that fail people like Janiyah:

• • Healthcare that lets a child die
• • A job market that discards single mothers
• • A society that overlooks mental health
• • And a world that often turns away from Black women’s pain
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“She wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. She just wanted someone, anyone to listen.”

—-Audience reaction on social media

Powerful Performances That Stay With You.

Taraji P. Henson delivers one of her rawest and honest performances yet. You believe her. You hurt with her. You root for her, even when things spiral.

And then there’s Sinbad, making a heartfelt return to film after a real-life stroke. He plays Benny, one of the hostages, whose quiet strength becomes a small beacon of grace inside the chaos. According to Tyler Perry:

“Sinbad didn’t just play a role, he brought lived experience to the screen.”

Supporting roles from Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor add more emotional depth, showing that compassion can still exist in the most intense situations.

The Tears Come From Recognition

Straw isn’t sad just because of what happens. It’s sad because it feels so familiar. So many people have lived versions of Janiyah’s story and are struggling in silence, overwhelmed, and unseen.

You’ll cry because it’s beautifully acted.

You’ll cry because it’s tragically real.

And you’ll cry because you might know a Janiyah or be one.

“Grief doesn’t always wear black. Sometimes, it looks like a woman just trying to survive.” Straw, 2025

Mental Health, Grief, and the Stories We Don’t Tell

One of the most powerful elements of Straw is its raw portrayal of grief and trauma. Experts have already praised the film for its depiction of:

• • Dissociation as a response to trauma.
• • Hallucinations triggered by deep emotional pain.
• • The mental breakdown that can happen when support systems disappear.

It’s a wake-up call. And it’s beautifully done.

Finally: Don’t Just Watch, Feel It.

Straw isn’t just a movie. It’s a story about real people, real pain, and the power of empathy.

It’s not about bank robberies or plot twists. It’s about what happens when the world turns away and one woman finds the strength to scream for help, even if it’s too late.

This film will leave you feeling shaken, but it’ll also leave you more aware, more compassionate, and more willing to listen to the next time someone says they’re not okay.

Watch trailer here: