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Tom's Guide
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 movies like 'Straw' to stream right now
A mother's love might just be the most powerful weapon there is. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, crank that up to 11 when a mom's protecting her child. Tyler Perry's "Straw" dives into the crime thriller genre and packs in as many maternal gut punches as it does literal ones. After its release on June 6, the Netflix original skyrocketed up the top 10 movie list and holds the No. 1 spot as of writing. The intense psychological thriller is just the latest of Perry's hits for the platform. Taraji P. Henson stars as a single mom who can't seem to catch a break. Janiyah is just trying to cash a check at the bank so she can buy her sick daughter's medicine — except everything that can go wrong does and suddenly she's in a full-on hostage situation. Like so many mothers in this genre, Janiyah will do whatever it takes to care for her child. Looking for more thrillers with rage-fueled moms? From "Peppermint" to "Panic Room," here are five movies like "Straw." The 2018 film 'Peppermint' is basically 'Straw" if you double the body count. Grief-stricken mothers are just as fiery as moms actively fighting for their kids. Given that they basically have nothing to lose, action moms who lose a child are ready to savagely dish out the pain to the guilty parties. In 'Peppermint,' Riley's (Jennifer Garner) daughter and husband are gunned down. After the justice system fails to live up to its name, Riley disappears for five years. She returns with a fiery vengeance. The catch? She's now a trained killer. While 'Straw' is grounded in moral ambiguity, 'Peppermint' is more about the stylized vigilante carnage vibes. The movie turns raw grief into unfiltered rage, exploring the lengths a mother will go to avenge their child. In Riley's case? It's pretty damn far. Watch on AMC Plus Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The dark, rainy forest setting in 2022's 'Lou' is a far cry from the bank location of "Straw." However, the movies could basically be cousins, sharing a similarly bleak tone. 'Lou' hits the same emotionally-charged nuances as 'Straw' — just with a few more knives. In 'Lou,' Hannah (Jurnee Smollett) is out of options when her daughter is kidnapped. During her plight to save her daughter, she has no one left to turn to. That is, until a reclusive loner named Lou (Allison Janney) reluctantly saves the day. As it turns out, she's CIA-trained. While 'Straw' centers on a mother taking things into her own hands, Hannah gets by with a little help from her reluctant new "friend." Between generational trauma and getting screwed over by the system, Hannah and Janiyah would be fast friends. Watch on Netflix Being trapped with your kids during a home invasion is bad enough, but imagine having to watch it from the outside. That's precisely what Shaun (Gabrielle Union) contends with in the aptly-titled 2018 movie "Breaking In.' Not only are Shaun's kids trapped, but they're held hostage by burglars inside a high-tech fortress. Yet that's not enough to keep Shaun from her kids; they need to break out, so she decides to break in. Shaun scales walls, dodges bullets, and dishes out rage-fueled ass-kickings to rescue her kids — all without backup (not that she needs any). Everyone who underestimates her is very quickly humbled. Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple When a heist meets a mother's revenge story, you've got the makings of 'Set it Off.' The film follows T.T. (Kimberly Elise), a struggling single mom who feels abandoned by a system that's set up to watch her fail. T.T. doesn't see any other options when she and her friends turn to bank robbery to survive. Much like 'Straw,' the 1996 movie hinges on the characters' desperation. If you ask them, when society shuts the door on you, it's time to break the damn thing down — with shotguns. Plenty of bullets take center stage, but heavy emotion and a relatable feeling of hopelessness are the real main characters. The cast of the F. Gary Gray-directed movie includes Queen Latifah (Cleo), Jada Pinkett Smith (Stony), and Vivica A. Fox (Frankie). Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple David Fincher's 2002 movie 'Panic Room' is a masterclass on the impact of simmering tension and desperation. Meg (Jodie Foster) and her diabetic daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) get trapped in a supposedly impenetrable panic room by a couple of not-so-bright burglars. As far as settings go, 'Panic Room' is simplistic in design, as much of the movie takes place in a small, enclosed area. Yet that only amplifies the tension. Meg's primal fight to keep her daughter alive is as stressful for audiences as it is for Meg. Not only are they fearing for their lives at the hands of intruders, but Sarah's lack of insulin is also a potent threat. While 'Straw' is all about moral complexity, 'Panic Room' is a raw, stripped-down depiction of survival instincts and a mother's protection. Meg declares war on the attackers, which is certainly something Janiyah can relate to in 'Straw.' Rent/buy on Amazon or Apple
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Straw" On Netflix Has People Ugly Crying On The Internet, And The Twist At The End Didn't Make It Any Better
Straw — the latest Tyler Perry film starring Taraji P. Henson — has the internet in a frenzy! You're signing up for a roller coaster ride of emotions, but one thing I truly hope viewers take away from it is the power of empathy. Here's why you should watch: let's start with the basics: Straw follows Janiyah Wilkinson, a single mother who's just trying to take care of her sick daughter. Despite working two jobs, Janiyah still struggles to maintain the bills and a decent living situation while taking care of both of them on her own. no slow burn or steady escalation. This drama immediately grabs your attention because over the course of one chaotic day, the events that unravel in Janiyah's life go from bad to worse to hell! If you think you've had it bad, I can guarantee you Janiyah's day will top it. movie is led by none other than Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson, so I already knew it was in good hands. With notable projects under her belt like Baby Boy, Empire, Think Like a Man, Hidden Figures, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and The Color Purple, displaying range is something Taraji is very familiar with. was directed, written, and produced by Tyler Perry. I know some of y'all like to tussle when it comes to him, but hear me out. Tyler often faces a lot of criticism for the way he depicts Black people, particularly Black women, in his projects. Black women struggling, abuse, and poverty are some of the common themes used in his movies and TV shows. Do they show up in Straw? Yes, but this story is so much more than that. Janiyah's story is fictional, the obstacles she faces are a reality for millions of families (for both two-parent households and single-parent homes) around the world. Janiyah's story is a testament to the lengths a parent is willing to go to provide for and protect their child, despite the crippling limits placed on them. It's a story of survival, perseverance, grief, and an unwavering love. with Taraji's captivating performance, the cast, as a whole, really pulls the film together. We get to see Sherri Shepherd in a different, dramatic light as she portrays bank manager Nicole. She's forced to act quickly when her life and job are put in jeopardy, but not everything is as it seems. I'm so used to seeing Sherri in comedic roles or hosting her daytime talk show, so watching her in this role was refreshing. also get to experience multi-hyphenate entertainer Teyana Taylor sharpening her acting chops as Detective Kay Raymond. The Harlem in her jumped out as I watched her on screen, but I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Taraji's character play out. In today's society, incidents of police brutality are still common, so the way Tyler chose to explore their dynamic was interesting. having an obvious protagonist to root for, viewers are also given characters that push our buttons and get on our last nerves. Who doesn't like seeing the antagonist lose? I won't say too much about the who or why, but I'll just leave these photos here. Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix ©2025 movie might sound like just a drama, but it's actually marketed as a psychological crime drama. And baby whenever something is filed under psychological ______, you know there's going to be a twist! psychological thrillers are my favorite genre when it comes to movies, TV, and books, I've gotten pretty good at discovering pieces to the puzzle and/or solving the twist before it's actually revealed. But I can honestly say, I DID NOT SEE THIS ONE COMING! I won't give it away, but I will add that it will change EVERYTHING for you. if you're still not completely sold, it's currently number one on Netflix! My timeline cannot stop talking about it. Here's what some people are saying about it online: You can watch the trailer for Straw below: Have you seen Straw? If so, what did you think of it? If not, do you think you'll watch it? Let's chat in the comments!
Buzz Feed
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Netflix's Tearjerker Straw Shocks With Final Twist
Straw — the latest Tyler Perry film starring Taraji P. Henson — has the internet in a frenzy! You're signing up for a roller coaster ride of emotions, but one thing I truly hope viewers take away from it is the power of empathy. Here's why you should watch: Okay, let's start with the basics: Straw follows Janiyah Wilkinson, a single mother who's just trying to take care of her sick daughter. Despite working two jobs, Janiyah still struggles to maintain the bills and a decent living situation while taking care of both of them on her own. There's no slow burn or steady escalation. This drama immediately grabs your attention because over the course of one chaotic day, the events that unravel in Janiyah's life go from bad to worse to hell! If you think you've had it bad, I can guarantee you Janiyah's day will top it. The movie is led by none other than Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson, so I already knew it was in good hands. With notable projects under her belt like Baby Boy, Empire, Think Like a Man, Hidden Figures, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and The Color Purple, displaying range is something Taraji is very familiar with. Straw was directed, written, and produced by Tyler Perry. I know some of y'all like to tussle when it comes to him, but hear me out. Tyler often faces a lot of criticism for the way he depicts Black people, particularly Black women, in his projects. Black women struggling, abuse, and poverty are some of the common themes used in his movies and TV shows. Do they show up in Straw? Yes, but this story is so much more than that. Although Janiyah's story is fictional, the obstacles she faces are a reality for millions of families (for both two-parent households and single-parent homes) around the world. Janiyah's story is a testament to the lengths a parent is willing to go to provide for and protect their child, despite the crippling limits placed on them. It's a story of survival, perseverance, grief, and an unwavering love. Along with Taraji's captivating performance, the cast, as a whole, really pulls the film together. We get to see Sherri Shepherd in a different, dramatic light as she portrays bank manager Nicole. She's forced to act quickly when her life and job are put in jeopardy, but not everything is as it seems. I'm so used to seeing Sherri in comedic roles or hosting her daytime talk show, so watching her in this role was refreshing. We also get to experience multi-hyphenate entertainer Teyana Taylor sharpening her acting chops as Detective Kay Raymond. The Harlem in her jumped out as I watched her on screen, but I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Taraji's character play out. In today's society, incidents of police brutality are still common, so the way Tyler chose to explore their dynamic was interesting. Despite having an obvious protagonist to root for, viewers are also given characters that push our buttons and get on our last nerves. Who doesn't like seeing the antagonist lose? I won't say too much about the who or why, but I'll just leave these photos here. This movie might sound like just a drama, but it's actually marketed as a psychological crime drama. And baby whenever something is filed under psychological ______, you know there's going to be a twist! Because psychological thrillers are my favorite genre when it comes to movies, TV, and books, I've gotten pretty good at discovering pieces to the puzzle and/or solving the twist before it's actually revealed. But I can honestly say, I DID NOT SEE THIS ONE COMING! I won't give it away, but I will add that it will change EVERYTHING for you. Lastly, if you're still not completely sold, it's currently number one on Netflix! My timeline cannot stop talking about it. Here's what some people are saying about it online: You can watch the trailer for Straw below: Have you seen Straw? If so, what did you think of it? If not, do you think you'll watch it? Let's chat in the comments!
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Lack of finesse the real crime in this hard-luck tale
Some people have one of those days. Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) has one of those lives. She's a black single mother doing it tough: she works two jobs to support herself and her chronically sick young daughter, Aria (Gabrielle E. Jackson), and has constant financial problems. And then one day comes the last straw - or rather a series of them. She owes money for Aria's school lunches and she's behind on her rent - her landlady threatens her with imminent eviction. After dropping Aria at school, Janiyah has a tense encounter with two white police officers who discover her driver's licence has expired. Her car is impounded. After finally arriving at the supermarket where she works, Janiyah soon has to deal with a couple of difficult customers, adding to her distress. Even worse is to come: she receives a call informing her that Aria has been injured while having a seizure. She begs her boss Richard (Glynn Turman) for her pay cheque (huh - people still get paid by cheque?) so she can cash it and use the money to pay some of her debts. He refuses, seeming to take pleasure in making her wait for it to arrive in the mail. It's perhaps worth noting that he, like her landlady, is black: racism isn't the only problem Janiyah faces. As if things weren't bad enough, a robber bursts in with a gun, one thing leads to another, and both the robber and boss end up dead. Janiyah makes her way - rather unwisely, with the gun - to the bank so she can cash her bloodstained cheque. Her lack of ID results in another escalating situation. In her despair, Janiyah pulls out the weapon, but she does not intend to rob the bank: she just wants her money. But such niceties are easily lost. She and the staff and a few customers are caught up in a hostage situation. And, it seems, one where there's a bomb involved. The incredibly prolific Tyler Perry co-produced, wrote and directed this Netflix Original film. According to reports, he shot it in four days while also filming another project. That's an impressive achievement and the film looks polished, although some things - like the rain that abruptly comes and goes - might not bear too much scrutiny. Spending a bit time on the film - particularly the script - might have produced somewhat better results. A hostage situation is rife with dramatic possibilities - think of the classic 1970s movies Dog Day Afternoon and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - but Perry has a tendency to belabour some points rather than use the running time to range more widely or probe more deeply. And the pace does lag at times: a tighter edit might have helped. There's certainly plenty going on, with points made about the financial and medical difficulties faced by the working poor in the US, with the problems exacerbated here by racism, ego and a basic lack of humanity in some quarters. Race is a factor in the turf war when the FBI arrives to take over from the local cops, who haven't been doing a bad job, all things considered. Henson as the desperate mother is the focus and she is very good. She spends a lot of time playing emotional extremes - it must have been a draining few days of shooting. Although this intensity can become a bit much, she remains sympathetic throughout, trying to deal with ever-mounting problems. Other fine performances come from Sherri Shepherd as the empathetic bank manager and Teyana Taylor as the detective hostage negotiator who builds up a rapport with Janiyah. There's a twist towards the end that takes the film in another direction entirely that's certainly interesting, even if, like much else here, it could have been handled a bit more adroitly. Some people have one of those days. Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) has one of those lives. She's a black single mother doing it tough: she works two jobs to support herself and her chronically sick young daughter, Aria (Gabrielle E. Jackson), and has constant financial problems. And then one day comes the last straw - or rather a series of them. She owes money for Aria's school lunches and she's behind on her rent - her landlady threatens her with imminent eviction. After dropping Aria at school, Janiyah has a tense encounter with two white police officers who discover her driver's licence has expired. Her car is impounded. After finally arriving at the supermarket where she works, Janiyah soon has to deal with a couple of difficult customers, adding to her distress. Even worse is to come: she receives a call informing her that Aria has been injured while having a seizure. She begs her boss Richard (Glynn Turman) for her pay cheque (huh - people still get paid by cheque?) so she can cash it and use the money to pay some of her debts. He refuses, seeming to take pleasure in making her wait for it to arrive in the mail. It's perhaps worth noting that he, like her landlady, is black: racism isn't the only problem Janiyah faces. As if things weren't bad enough, a robber bursts in with a gun, one thing leads to another, and both the robber and boss end up dead. Janiyah makes her way - rather unwisely, with the gun - to the bank so she can cash her bloodstained cheque. Her lack of ID results in another escalating situation. In her despair, Janiyah pulls out the weapon, but she does not intend to rob the bank: she just wants her money. But such niceties are easily lost. She and the staff and a few customers are caught up in a hostage situation. And, it seems, one where there's a bomb involved. The incredibly prolific Tyler Perry co-produced, wrote and directed this Netflix Original film. According to reports, he shot it in four days while also filming another project. That's an impressive achievement and the film looks polished, although some things - like the rain that abruptly comes and goes - might not bear too much scrutiny. Spending a bit time on the film - particularly the script - might have produced somewhat better results. A hostage situation is rife with dramatic possibilities - think of the classic 1970s movies Dog Day Afternoon and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - but Perry has a tendency to belabour some points rather than use the running time to range more widely or probe more deeply. And the pace does lag at times: a tighter edit might have helped. There's certainly plenty going on, with points made about the financial and medical difficulties faced by the working poor in the US, with the problems exacerbated here by racism, ego and a basic lack of humanity in some quarters. Race is a factor in the turf war when the FBI arrives to take over from the local cops, who haven't been doing a bad job, all things considered. Henson as the desperate mother is the focus and she is very good. She spends a lot of time playing emotional extremes - it must have been a draining few days of shooting. Although this intensity can become a bit much, she remains sympathetic throughout, trying to deal with ever-mounting problems. Other fine performances come from Sherri Shepherd as the empathetic bank manager and Teyana Taylor as the detective hostage negotiator who builds up a rapport with Janiyah. There's a twist towards the end that takes the film in another direction entirely that's certainly interesting, even if, like much else here, it could have been handled a bit more adroitly. Some people have one of those days. Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) has one of those lives. She's a black single mother doing it tough: she works two jobs to support herself and her chronically sick young daughter, Aria (Gabrielle E. Jackson), and has constant financial problems. And then one day comes the last straw - or rather a series of them. She owes money for Aria's school lunches and she's behind on her rent - her landlady threatens her with imminent eviction. After dropping Aria at school, Janiyah has a tense encounter with two white police officers who discover her driver's licence has expired. Her car is impounded. After finally arriving at the supermarket where she works, Janiyah soon has to deal with a couple of difficult customers, adding to her distress. Even worse is to come: she receives a call informing her that Aria has been injured while having a seizure. She begs her boss Richard (Glynn Turman) for her pay cheque (huh - people still get paid by cheque?) so she can cash it and use the money to pay some of her debts. He refuses, seeming to take pleasure in making her wait for it to arrive in the mail. It's perhaps worth noting that he, like her landlady, is black: racism isn't the only problem Janiyah faces. As if things weren't bad enough, a robber bursts in with a gun, one thing leads to another, and both the robber and boss end up dead. Janiyah makes her way - rather unwisely, with the gun - to the bank so she can cash her bloodstained cheque. Her lack of ID results in another escalating situation. In her despair, Janiyah pulls out the weapon, but she does not intend to rob the bank: she just wants her money. But such niceties are easily lost. She and the staff and a few customers are caught up in a hostage situation. And, it seems, one where there's a bomb involved. The incredibly prolific Tyler Perry co-produced, wrote and directed this Netflix Original film. According to reports, he shot it in four days while also filming another project. That's an impressive achievement and the film looks polished, although some things - like the rain that abruptly comes and goes - might not bear too much scrutiny. Spending a bit time on the film - particularly the script - might have produced somewhat better results. A hostage situation is rife with dramatic possibilities - think of the classic 1970s movies Dog Day Afternoon and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - but Perry has a tendency to belabour some points rather than use the running time to range more widely or probe more deeply. And the pace does lag at times: a tighter edit might have helped. There's certainly plenty going on, with points made about the financial and medical difficulties faced by the working poor in the US, with the problems exacerbated here by racism, ego and a basic lack of humanity in some quarters. Race is a factor in the turf war when the FBI arrives to take over from the local cops, who haven't been doing a bad job, all things considered. Henson as the desperate mother is the focus and she is very good. She spends a lot of time playing emotional extremes - it must have been a draining few days of shooting. Although this intensity can become a bit much, she remains sympathetic throughout, trying to deal with ever-mounting problems. Other fine performances come from Sherri Shepherd as the empathetic bank manager and Teyana Taylor as the detective hostage negotiator who builds up a rapport with Janiyah. There's a twist towards the end that takes the film in another direction entirely that's certainly interesting, even if, like much else here, it could have been handled a bit more adroitly. Some people have one of those days. Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) has one of those lives. She's a black single mother doing it tough: she works two jobs to support herself and her chronically sick young daughter, Aria (Gabrielle E. Jackson), and has constant financial problems. And then one day comes the last straw - or rather a series of them. She owes money for Aria's school lunches and she's behind on her rent - her landlady threatens her with imminent eviction. After dropping Aria at school, Janiyah has a tense encounter with two white police officers who discover her driver's licence has expired. Her car is impounded. After finally arriving at the supermarket where she works, Janiyah soon has to deal with a couple of difficult customers, adding to her distress. Even worse is to come: she receives a call informing her that Aria has been injured while having a seizure. She begs her boss Richard (Glynn Turman) for her pay cheque (huh - people still get paid by cheque?) so she can cash it and use the money to pay some of her debts. He refuses, seeming to take pleasure in making her wait for it to arrive in the mail. It's perhaps worth noting that he, like her landlady, is black: racism isn't the only problem Janiyah faces. As if things weren't bad enough, a robber bursts in with a gun, one thing leads to another, and both the robber and boss end up dead. Janiyah makes her way - rather unwisely, with the gun - to the bank so she can cash her bloodstained cheque. Her lack of ID results in another escalating situation. In her despair, Janiyah pulls out the weapon, but she does not intend to rob the bank: she just wants her money. But such niceties are easily lost. She and the staff and a few customers are caught up in a hostage situation. And, it seems, one where there's a bomb involved. The incredibly prolific Tyler Perry co-produced, wrote and directed this Netflix Original film. According to reports, he shot it in four days while also filming another project. That's an impressive achievement and the film looks polished, although some things - like the rain that abruptly comes and goes - might not bear too much scrutiny. Spending a bit time on the film - particularly the script - might have produced somewhat better results. A hostage situation is rife with dramatic possibilities - think of the classic 1970s movies Dog Day Afternoon and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - but Perry has a tendency to belabour some points rather than use the running time to range more widely or probe more deeply. And the pace does lag at times: a tighter edit might have helped. There's certainly plenty going on, with points made about the financial and medical difficulties faced by the working poor in the US, with the problems exacerbated here by racism, ego and a basic lack of humanity in some quarters. Race is a factor in the turf war when the FBI arrives to take over from the local cops, who haven't been doing a bad job, all things considered. Henson as the desperate mother is the focus and she is very good. She spends a lot of time playing emotional extremes - it must have been a draining few days of shooting. Although this intensity can become a bit much, she remains sympathetic throughout, trying to deal with ever-mounting problems. Other fine performances come from Sherri Shepherd as the empathetic bank manager and Teyana Taylor as the detective hostage negotiator who builds up a rapport with Janiyah. There's a twist towards the end that takes the film in another direction entirely that's certainly interesting, even if, like much else here, it could have been handled a bit more adroitly.
Tom's Guide
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix's newest No. 1 movie is an intense psychological thriller — and you'll never guess the ending
Netflix's top 10 list is constantly shifting as new titles are added to the streaming service every week. In this case, the latest psychological thriller from Tyler Perry has taken the No. 1 spot after premiering on June 6. 'Straw' follows a single mother whose already fragile world begins to crumble in just one day. As pressure mounts at home, at work, and in the system meant to protect her, she finds herself pushed to a breaking point. What unfolds is a tense, emotionally charged story about what happens when someone reaches their last straw. I'm not surprised 'Straw' has taken the crown since it has all the ingredients viewers tend to eat up. As a taut thriller with crime drama elements, plot twists, and backed by a well-known filmmaker, it was almost inevitable that this new release would climb to the top of the U.S. trending list. So, if you've seen 'Straw' pop up on your homepage, here's everything you need to know before adding it to your Netflix watchlist. 'Straw' follows Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), a single mother in Atlanta who finds her already difficult life unraveling over the course of one harrowing day. After being unexpectedly fired from her job, she returns home to discover an eviction notice on her apartment door. Her daughter, who suffers from a chronic illness, urgently needs medication they can no longer afford. Desperate and out of options, Janiyah attempts to secure help through legal channels, but is met with indifference and red tape at every turn. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Driven to her limits by a world that continually turns its back on her, she faces unthinkable decisions in a place where help never comes and hope is in short supply,. Forcing everyone around her to confront how far one woman will go when pushed past her breaking point. One thing I'll give 'Straw' credit for: it's easily one of Perry's strongest movies since his Netflix run started. Most of his releases seem to shoot straight to the top of the charts, but this is one of the rare ones that actually earns its spot. First of all, the movie does not hold back on emotion, making sure every moment lands hard enough to move or frustrate you. It opens with a quiet, deliberate look at Janiyah's life with muted colors and everyday details like unwashed dishes. As the story progresses, the pace picks up, building tension to pull you in completely. Within just 24 hours, everything falls apart, and you soon realize that Janiyah is experiencing more than just bad luck. This includes losing her job and access to her money before child services takes her daughter away. A police officer then hits her car, threatens her, tickets her, and tows it. She's evicted, her belongings left in the rain. And when she returns for her last paycheck, she gets caught in a deadly armed robbery. It's pretty harrowing stuff and you immediately wish for Janiyah to have a happy ending. Of course, with most of Perry's work, happiness isn't always guaranteed. At the heart of this thriller is Taraji P. Henson's powerful performance and one reason why I was so hooked. She fully inhabits Janiyah's heartbreak and struggles, delivering an emotional monologue halfway through that stands out as the movie's most unforgettable moment. It almost makes you wish the rest of the movie matched her intensity, because unfortunately, 'Straw' becomes quite convoluted, especially when it brings in another plot point surrounding the FBI. This thriller also sometimes leans too heavily into its emotional beats, tipping into melodrama. Scenes like Janiyah collapsing in the rain and shouting to the sky feel overdone, and the rapid buildup of intensity risks breaking the audience's immersion. Some moments, like that rain scene, even come off as cheaply made. Not to mention the twist ending is likely to leave viewers feeling conflicted. While it adds an unexpected layer to the story, I personally feel the movie's impact might have been even stronger without it. But still, anyone who enjoys a good twist might find themselves pleasantly surprised (and even more heartbroken). 'Straw' isn't Tyler Perry's weakest work, but it struggles with familiar issues seen in much of his filmography. The story is overloaded with obvious symbolism, overly complicated plot points, and forced emotional moments that don't quite land. Still, if you enjoy intense psychological thrillers, it's worth a watch, and it earns its No. 1 spot largely thanks to Henson's exceptional performance. I'm not the only one who thinks so either. At the time of writing (June 9), 'Straw' has a solid 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers calling it "powerful" and 'emotional,' with Henson's acting being labeled as 'excellent.' Five out of eight critic reviews are also positive, proving that 'Straw' is one of Perry's strongest movies to date. You can stream 'Straw' on Netflix now. However, if you're not feeling it, see what's new on Netflix this week or check out our guide on the new movies and shows added in June 2025.
