Straw — the latest Tyler Perry film starring Taraji P. Henson — has the internet in a frenzy! You’re signing up for a roller coaster ride of emotions, but one thing I truly hope viewers take away from it is the power of empathy.
Here’s why you should watch:
1. Okay, let’s start with the basics: Straw follows Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother who’s just trying to take care of her sick daughter. Despite working two jobs, Janiyah still struggles to maintain the bills and a decent living situation while taking care of both of them on her own.
2. There’s no slow burn or steady escalation. This drama immediately grabs your attention because over the course of one chaotic day, the events that unravel in Janiyah’s life go from bad to worse to hell! If you think you’ve had it bad, I can guarantee you Janiyah’s day will top it.
3. The movie is led by none other than Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson, so I already knew it was in good hands. With notable projects under her belt like Baby Boy, Empire, Think Like a Man, Hidden Figures, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and The Color Purple, displaying range is something Taraji is very familiar with.
4. Straw was directed, written, and produced by Tyler Perry. I know some of y’all like to tussle when it comes to him, but hear me out. Tyler often faces a lot of criticism for the way he depicts Black people, particularly Black women, in his projects. Black women struggling, abuse, and poverty are some of the common themes used in his movies and TV shows. Do they show up in Straw? Yes, but this story is so much more than that.
5. Although Janiyah’s story is fictional, the obstacles she faces are a reality for millions of families (for both two-parent households and single-parent homes) around the world. Janiyah’s story is a testament to the lengths a parent is willing to go to provide for and protect their child, despite the crippling limits placed on them. It’s a story of survival, perseverance, grief, and an unwavering love.
6. Along with Taraji’s captivating performance, the cast, as a whole, really pulls the film together. We get to see Sherri Shepherd in a different, dramatic light as she portrays bank manager Nicole. She’s forced to act quickly when her life and job are put in jeopardy, but not everything is as it seems. I’m so used to seeing Sherri in comedic roles or hosting her daytime talk show, so watching her in this role was refreshing.
7. We also get to experience multi-hyphenate entertainer Teyana Taylor sharpening her acting chops as Detective Kay Raymond. The Harlem in her jumped out as I watched her on screen, but I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Taraji’s character play out. In today’s society, incidents of police brutality are still common, so the way Tyler chose to explore their dynamic was interesting.
8. Despite having an obvious protagonist to root for, viewers are also given characters that push our buttons and get on our last nerves. Who doesn’t like seeing the antagonist lose? I won’t say too much about the who or why, but I’ll just leave these photos here.
9. This movie might sound like just a drama, but it’s actually marketed as a psychological crime drama. And baby whenever something is filed under psychological ______, you know there’s going to be a twist!
10. Because psychological thrillers are my favorite genre when it comes to movies, TV, and books, I’ve gotten pretty good at discovering pieces to the puzzle and/or solving the twist before it’s actually revealed. But I can honestly say, I DID NOT SEE THIS ONE COMING! I won’t give it away, but I will add that it will change EVERYTHING for you.
11. Lastly, if you’re still not completely sold, it’s currently number one on Netflix! My timeline cannot stop talking about it. Here’s what some people are saying about it online:
