You know that feeling when you're just done? Not "I need a nap" done, but "if one more thing goes wrong, I might actually lose it" done. That is the entire energy of Straw, the latest movie starring Taraji P. Henson that recently hit Netflix. Honestly, it is one of those films that makes you want to reach through the screen and give the protagonist a hug, or maybe a lawyer, or just a break.
Taraji plays Janiyah, a single mother living life on a razor's edge. She is working three jobs. Her daughter is sick. Her car gets impounded. She gets fired. It is a relentless, almost punishing sequence of events that Tyler Perry (who wrote and directed this) uses to show just how thin the safety net is for people living paycheck to paycheck.
What Actually Happens in Straw?
The plot is basically a pressure cooker. Janiyah is trying to do everything right, but the world just won't let her. After a series of "last straws"—hence the title—she ends up in a desperate standoff at a bank. It isn't because she’s a criminal; it’s because she is a mother who has been pushed past her breaking point.
Some critics have called it "misery porn," and honestly, they aren't totally wrong. It is heavy. The film has a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, which tells you exactly how polarizing it is. But even if you hate the script, you cannot look away from Taraji. She is a powerhouse. She filmed this entire thing in just four days while she was working on Fight Night, which is genuinely insane when you see the emotional weight she carries in every scene.
The Tyler Perry Factor
This is Taraji’s fourth time working with Perry, following The Family That Preys, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, and the internet’s favorite meme-generator, Acrimony. If you’ve seen those, you know the vibe. Perry loves a high-stakes, high-emotion drama where a Black woman is pushed to the limit.
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In Straw, he leans into a John Q meets Set It Off style of storytelling. It tackles big, messy themes:
- The absolute nightmare of the American healthcare system.
- How quickly "policing" can escalate a situation that just needed empathy.
- The invisible struggle of single mothers who are one car repair away from homelessness.
It isn't a "fun" watch. It’s a "talk to the TV" kind of watch. You’ll find yourself yelling at the bank teller (played by Sherri Shepherd) or rooting for the negotiator (Teyana Taylor) to just give Janiyah a win.
Why Everyone Is Talking About the Ending
Without spoiling the "jaw-dropping" twist everyone is buzzing about, let’s just say it changes how you view the entire first hour of the movie. There is a reveal involving Janiyah’s mental state that has sparked a lot of debate online. Some people feel it’s a brilliant commentary on the "strong Black woman" trope and how it masks actual trauma. Others think it’s a bit of a cheap narrative trick.
Whatever side you land on, the movie reached #1 on Netflix for a reason. People see themselves in Janiyah’s frustration. Maybe not the "holding up a bank" part, but definitely the "everything is falling apart and nobody is helping" part.
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What’s Next for Taraji P. Henson?
If Straw was too dark for you, don’t worry. Taraji isn't staying in this heavy space forever. She just signed a massive two-picture deal with Netflix under her TPH Entertainment banner.
- Why Did I Get Married Again?: She is officially joining the third installment of this cult classic franchise. Expect the original cast (Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, etc.) to return. This will likely be much more of the "dramedy" vibe fans love.
- Joe Turner’s Come and Gone: She’s heading to Broadway in early 2026. She’ll be starring opposite Cedric the Entertainer in an August Wilson revival directed by the legendary Debbie Allen.
Basically, Taraji is in her "producer era." She’s making sure she’s not just the person in front of the camera, but the one calling the shots behind it. After years of speaking out about pay inequality in Hollywood, it’s refreshing to see her take the reins with these Netflix and Fox first-look deals.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Watchlist
If you haven't seen the movie yet, here is how to handle it.
Prepare for the mood. Do not watch this if you’re already having a bad day and need a pick-me-up. It is a psychological thriller that lives in the "stress" category.
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Watch for the performances. Ignore some of the weird Tyler Perry tropes (the sudden rainstorms, the questionable wigs). Focus on the acting. Teyana Taylor and Sherri Shepherd are surprisingly great in roles that could have been very one-dimensional.
Look for the subtext. The movie is at its best when it’s critiquing the systems that fail Janiyah, rather than just focusing on her personal "bad luck." It’s a sharp look at how society treats people who are "at their last straw."
Check out her earlier work. If Straw leaves a bad taste in your mouth but you still love Taraji, go back and watch Hidden Figures or her Oscar-nominated turn in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It reminds you that she has the range to do anything from high-concept drama to gritty, four-day Netflix thrillers.