Straw tells the story of a single mother who navigates a series of unfortunate events, leading her down an unforeseen path where she becomes embroiled in a situation she never envisioned, finding herself at the center of suspicion in an indifferent world.

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Introduction

This was ignored around a lot every time I scroll to find something to watch. In the end, Netflix couldn’t offer me anything that would satisfy my weird itch to watch something and I ended up trying this, and it did not disappoint. It is really a series of unfortunate events (pun intended), and the big reveal was a cherry on top.

Straw (2025), was directed by Tyler Perry and starring Taraji P. Henson, is a psychological crime drama following Janiyah Wiltkinson, a struggling single mother whose life rapidly deteriorates over 24 hours, leading her into a series of desperate and violent acts when she’s pushed to the brink of despair while trying to care for her ill daughter.

Characters

Taraji P. Henson (plays as Janiyah Wiltkinson) delivers an award worthy performance as the distraught mother of a sickly child named Aria. I know of Henson from her comedy movies before, this was the first I seen her being vulnerable. A sight that I sure would love to see again on her upcoming projects.

Teyana Taylor was an off pick as Detective Kay Raymond. I don’t know if it was the costume designer’s idea but that wig was an eye sore. Now I don’t have an experience handling wigs of any kind, but when I saw it, I instantly knew it was one. Her whole appearance doesn’t say “detective” in any way. Performance-wise, it was subpar at best.

The three ladies in the bank had better scenes and executed it well.

Plausibility of her misfortune

I mean, to be honest, its not impossible what happened to her, it does sound crazy being dealt with continous bad cards like she got, though its a little too farfetched to think that all those happened in a day or two.

To have something as traumatizing as what happened to her, the brain can suppress it, bury it deep down in her consciousness as a coping mechanism. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

The message

The movie obviously tackles grief and systemic failures, specifically those that feel invisible, alone and forgotten.

The movie also promotes single motherhood awareness, that it isn’t all fun and games. Straw shows the worst that could happen to a single parent.

Also, as the title implies, you never know who is holding onto their last straw. Reminds me a lot of Unhinged (2020), starring Russel Crowe.

What I didn’t like

• One of the things I didn’t like are the detectives. Their performance, their police work, everything about them. The bank tellers were more interesting than them to be honest.
• Its worth to note that the movie was filmed in just six days, but I’m not quite sure if its a feat worth praising. Because there are scenes that you could feel that it was rushed, and not polished.
• There are tons of racial undertones observed throughout the movie. Unfortunately, almost none of it was insightful and felt more like forced information to the viewers.
• Spoiler:
  When Henson went inside the bank (post robbery), there weren’t anyone there besides Henson and the bank staff. But after a while, we see 3 people there, falling in line. It was so obvious its annoying.

Conclusion

While Henson successfully delivered an emotionally heavy performance, the rest of the movie’s elements were kind of a let down, safe to say that Henson carried this movie. Its a good movie to watch but not for those who are sensitive about topics involving children.