STRAW – Movie Review | Netflix (3/5)

STRAW on Netflix is a new thriller from Tyler Perry. What makes this one work so well? The way Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd carry the brutally realistic backstory. Read our full Straw movie review here!

​STRAW (2025) is a new Netflix thriller by filmmaker Tyler Perry. Usually, I’m not too impressed by his movies as they tend to run for too long and go too hard on the stereotypes and tropes.

This one is much better, largely thanks to the decent and relatable story. However, more than anything, it’s the casting that works magic for this story. Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd in particular.

Continue reading our Straw movie review below. Find it on Netflix now.

From a tough life to a terrible day

In Straw, we meet Janiyah, who is having a really bad day. On top of this, her life has been a series of brutal choices, and constantly behind on bills. As a single mom, her focus is on her daughter, so she does whatever it takes.

She’s working two jobs, and the ends are still not quite meeting.

So, what will be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back?! The last straw comes on a day that pushes her to the absolute breaking point. From this point on, everything she does takes things from bad to catastrophic, and it seems she cannot possibly win.

Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd are stellar

While Tyler Perry’s Straw is still too long, it toes the line perfectly when it comes to the rest of Tyler Perry’s usual issues. Instead of being too “tropey”, realism in its darkest and cruelest form takes center stage.

And, yes, you are meant to root for someone who makes wrong decisions. Not to excuse her, but rather to understand her impossible predicament. That’s why having Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple, Hidden Figures) in the lead role as Janiyah is perfection.

Also, once her day goes off the rails, she ends up in the middle of a heist (in a roundabout way), where Sherri Shepherd (Precious) carries the brutally realistic backstory to fruition.

Unfortunately, everything that happens outside the bank does get quite soapy and a little too “this is what we wish would happen”. Well, to a point, but still, this is both its downfall and its saving grace.

Also, Teyana Taylor delivers a much stronger portrayal of a detective than I ever expected. Not least thanks to the backstory of her character.

Watch Straw on Netflix now!

Tyler Perry is the writer and director of Straw, and to me, this is the best Tyler Perry production on Netflix so far. And yes, I recognize that the ending may not be to everyone’s liking.

However, I also want to acknowledge that we’ve watched the white male character be both a villain and a hero, which everyone was fine with. Obviously, in Falling Down and Unhinged, neither Michael Douglas nor Russell Crowe was a hero. Still, many relate to them.

Well, I may just be a white gay girl, but I relate to (and understand) this black single mom much better. So, if you have a problem accepting this story, maybe ask yourself why you don’t have the same issues with other movies featuring white male characters.

Also, while elements of the third act feel soapy, I must warn you that the actual Straw ending is even more brutal and heartbreaking than ever imagined. Now, this is the kind of intensity and brutal realism, Tyler Perry can do like few others.

Including getting this kind of cast onboard.

Straw premiered on Netflix on June 6, 2025.