Tyler Perry's "Straw" is the newest film everyone can't stop talking about

Reel Perspectives

July 6, 2025

"Straw," Tyler Perry's new psychological drama, is the film that everyone cannot stop talking about since its debut on Netflix on June 6. Written, directed, and produced by the ever prolific Tyler Perry, the movie stars Taraji P. Henson, who reunites with Perry from his previous films "The Family That Preys" (2008), "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" (2009), and "Acrimony" (2018). Henson plays Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother whose world spirals into chaos as her day deteriorates from bad to worse to catastrophic while she struggles to care for her ill daughter. As she is pushed to the brink by a world that appears indifferent to her plight, Janiyah is forced to confront impossible choices in a society that provides her with no safety net.

Perry, known for highlighting the ongoing struggles of the African American community through comedy and drama, takes another stab with exceptional acting from Henson. Her performance draws on the heartstrings and creates a gut-wrenching knot from start to finish, leaving you feeling emotionally drained as the film takes you on a powerful rollercoaster of emotions and never lets up, long after the end credits roll. "Straw" debuted at number 1 and consistently remained in the top 10, even after dominating the global charts for 9 days at number 1 following its release.

To say this film was good would be a gross understatement. Henson's commitment to her character was mesmerizing, and her raw talent in eliciting such vulnerability and heartbreak was visceral. Henson has never been better - powerful, emotional, who commands your attention in every frame. Sherri Shepherd also delivers an impressive performance as the calming presence balancing between empathy and panic. Additionally, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Ashley Versher, Mike Merrill, Glynn Turman, Anthony E. Williams, Tilky Jones, and Gabby Jackson also star in this emotionally charged film.

In an interview with Netflix, Tyler Perry shared, "She's just trying to survive, just trying to be a great mother to her daughter, and then the circumstances in her life cause her to be in this situation. I think that a lot of people around the world, no matter if you're a Black woman or not, will be able to relate to that feeling of, 'I'm at my last straw.'"

Perry touches on a lot of serious subjects that remain prevalent within the African American community, and Henson's character serves as a reminder that in a world where it is far too easy to fall through the cracks, empathy and compassion go a long way in making a difference. The movie is incredibly relatable, which makes the entire film palpable.

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Straw is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

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