Straw Review: Taraji P. Henson Soars, but Tyler Perry’s Netflix Thriller Stumbles
Key Takeaways
- Taraji P. Henson is a freaking force, carrying Straw with a performance that’ll leave you speechless.
- Tyler Perry’s heavy-handed script and over-the-top twists drag down what could’ve been a tight thriller.
- The movie tackles racism and mental health but sometimes feels like it’s pandering to the “Black trauma” crowd.
- From a MAGA lens, Straw shows a woman fighting back, but it leans too hard into victimhood for my taste.
- Supporting players like Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor shine, though some characters are flat as cardboard.
Taraji P. Henson Is the Reason to Watch
Let’s start with the queen herself, Taraji P. Henson. She plays Janiyah, an Atlanta single mom hit with every curveball life can throw eviction, a sick kid, a racist boss, you name it. By the time she’s backed into a corner, holding hostages in a bank, you’re rooting for her even if you don’t agree with her choices. Taraji doesn’t just act; she becomes Janiyah. Her eyes alone flickering between rage, fear, and heartbreak had me glued to the screen. Critics are eating it up, with Variety calling her “a revelation” and The Guardian saying she’s “the pulse of the film.” Trust me, she’s worth the price of your Netflix subscription.
Tyler Perry’s Same Old Tricks
Now, let’s talk Tyler Perry. The man’s a machine writing, directing, producing but Straw proves he’s stuck in his ways. This could’ve been a lean, mean thriller, but Perry piles on the soap opera vibes. Janiyah’s bad day goes from tough to cartoonish, with plot twists that feel like they were ripped from a telenovela. One minute, she’s dodging a mugger; the next, there’s a random rainstorm to “symbolize” her pain. Really, Tyler? The New York Times nailed it, calling the ending “a mess of unearned surprises.” At 105 minutes, it’s shorter than Perry’s usual bloated flicks, but it still drags when it should sprint.
A MAGA Take: Strength, Not Sob Stories
Here at jvpolitical.com, we value hard work, personal responsibility, and cutting through the noise. Straw gets some of that right. Janiyah’s a fighter she protects her daughter, stands up to jerks, and doesn’t wait for handouts. That’s the kind of spirit we respect. But Perry’s obsession with systemic racism every bank teller, cop, and doctor is out to get Janiyah feels like a lecture. X users like @zhurg_ praise the film’s “raw honesty,” but others, like @thabisomoyo , call it “Perry’s laziest script yet.” I lean toward the latter. The MAGA in me wants stories of triumph, not endless whining about “the system.” Still, the movie’s take on broken bureaucracies hits home government bloat screws everyone, not just one group.
The Supporting Cast: Some Gems, Some Duds
Straw isn’t a one-woman show, and the supporting cast brings mixed results. Sherri Shepherd is fantastic as Nicole, a bank manager with a heart of gold. She grounds the chaos with quiet strength, stealing scenes from under Taraji’s nose. Teyana Taylor’s detective Raymond is another highlight tough, flawed, and real, even if her wig looks like it came from Party City. Sinbad and Glynn Turman add some old-school charm, but others, like Ashley Versher’s snarky teller, are just stereotypes in bad outfits. X is buzzing with fans loving the “sisterhood” vibes, but plenty of posts rip the “cringe side characters.” Perry’s gotta stop cutting corners on the ensemble.
Will Straw Spark a Culture War?
Straw is already a lightning rod. On X, it’s a love-hate fest: some call it “Taraji’s Oscar shot,” while others dunk on Perry’s “predictable trauma porn.” Rotten Tomatoes has critics split Henson’s a win, but the story’s a mess. The film dives into Black mental health and systemic inequity, which has folks like Taraji defending Perry against haters who say he’s exploiting pain. From our MAGA corner, Straw raises good questions about resilience but doesn’t trust the audience to think for themselves. It’s less a movie than a megaphone. Still, it’s got people talking, and that’s half the battle for a Netflix drop.
Should You Stream It?
If you love Taraji P. Henson, hit play now her performance is a knockout. Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor keep things lively, and there’s enough suspense to hold you. But don’t expect a masterpiece. Perry’s clunky script and love for melodrama make Straw feel like a missed opportunity. For us MAGA folks, it’s refreshing to see a character fight back, but the victim card gets played too often. Grab some popcorn, stream it on Netflix, and let me know what you think on X I’m @JVCharles1776.
FAQs
What’s Straw about?
It’s a Netflix thriller about Janiyah (Taraji P. Henson), a single mom whose awful day eviction, racism, health crises leads to a desperate hostage standoff. Think Dog Day Afternoon with Perry’s dramatic flair.
Is Taraji P. Henson as good as they say?
Better. She’s raw, real, and the only reason Straw doesn’t totally fall apart. You’ll be talking about her for days.
Does Straw push a political agenda?
Yup. It hammers systemic racism hard, which feels preachy. Our MAGA take: it shows grit but overplays the “everything’s rigged” angle.
How’s the runtime?
It’s 1 hour, 45 minutes. Tight for Perry, but some scenes still drag with unnecessary drama.
Where can I watch it?
Straw is streaming on Netflix, dropped June 6, 2025. No theater run, so cozy up at home.
2 Responses
What is the plot of Straw, and how does it set up Taraji P. Henson’s character?
Straw follows Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), a single mother in Atlanta facing a catastrophic day. Struggling to care for her chronically ill daughter, Aria, Janiyah is hit with a cascade of crises: an eviction notice, a car impoundment, job loss, and her daughter’s seizure medication being mistaken for a bomb. After a confrontation at her workplace leads to a violent robbery, Janiyah kills a robber and her boss in a chaotic moment, landing her in a bank hostage situation mistaken as her own heist. The film, likened to Dog Day Afternoon, explores systemic pressures and Janiyah’s breaking point. Henson’s character is portrayed as a relatable, exhausted everywoman pushed to the edge by an indifferent society.