This movie was hyped across various social media platforms, in school, and among my friends. There were even comics comparing the storyline to the real-life experience of a certain lady on TikTok. I eventually downloaded the movie to see what the fuss was all about, and by the end of it, I agreed that it deserved all the attention and publicity it got.
Straw is a 2025 psychological drama written and produced by Tyler Perry. It tells the story of Janiyah, a single mother in Atlanta played by Taraji P. Henson, who finds herself spiraling on what begins as just another difficult day, but soon unravels into a harrowing journey of mental breakdown, suspicion and societal indifference. The movie explores themes of emotional endurance, family struggles, inner strength, and mental health awareness.
Plotline
Janiyah Wiltkinson is a single mother living in a cramped apartment with her daughter, Aria, who suffers from seizures and asthma. The story begins with what appears to be a normal morning: Janiyah prepares Aria for school and even gives a beggar some money on their way out. This act of kindness provokes their landlord, who threatens to evict her if she doesn’t pay the rent by 10 a.m.
Later, things take a tragic turn. Child Protective Services take Aria away because of scratches on her body and her inability to pay for lunch. Janiyah's challenges only escalate, her employer unjustly fires her and refuses to release her paycheck. One misfortune leads to another until she reaches her breaking point.
In a devastating twist, we discover that Aria actually died the previous night. Every scene featuring her throughout the day had been a manifestation of Janiyah’s grief and mental collapse.
Like I said earlier, what compelled me to write this review is the way the film made me feel. I was deeply moved, even though I knew it was just acting. Watching a single mother slowly fall apart from the trauma and weight of her broken life brought tears to my eyes.
In this movie, Tyler Perry masterfully exposes the agony and desperation that poverty can inflict on its victims. He weaves emotional drama with raw realism, highlighting the silent battles many women, especially unsupported single mothers face behind closed doors. No friends, no family, no safety net, just survival.
Another reason this movie touched me is because, while it's fictional, we know there are people going through similar or even worse situations in real life. This film reminds us to be kind; to our neighbors, employees, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. They might be going through a lot in silence.
Straw, alongside Miracle in Cell No. 7, has made me think about the people who end up in prison due to false accusations, mental breakdown due to pressure, or a lack of societal compassion. So many tragedies could be avoided if we were just a little more humane and less quick to judge.
This is the best psychological drama I’ve seen this year. The lead actress, Taraji P. Henson, delivered an impressive, emotionally layered performance. She was followed closely by Teyana Taylor (Detective Raymond), then Nicole. One of the tellers’ characters felt off to me at first, but on reflection, it felt very realistic. There really are people who lack empathy and are quick to judge others without considering what they've been through.
The supporting cast performed well, though some of the extras, like the police officers acted like amateurs. Still, that doesn't take away from the film’s emotional impact.
Recommendation
If you’ve been contemplating whether to give this movie a try, I urge you to go ahead. No matter how many reviews you’ve seen, you’ll still experience something deeply personal and unique.
I highly recommend this film to fans of psychological dramas and anyone passionate about mental health awareness.
Would you have reacted differently if you were in her shoes? I’m still asking myself that.