Straw: Taraji P. Henson’s Best Performance Ever
Dr Ramandeep Mahal reviews 'Straw'.
I absolutely loved this film. I could deeply relate to the emotional weight it portrays. Straw isn’t your typical drama—it’s a gripping, emotionally charged story that keeps you on edge, always wondering what will happen next..
​
At the heart of the film is a riveting performance by Taraji P. Henson (Think Like a Man, What Men Want, Hidden Figures, Baby Boy), who plays Janiyah Wilkinson—a mother caught in the devastating aftermath of a series of personal and systemic failures.
​
Directed by Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Daddy’s Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married?), Straw explores the harsh realities of daily survival, particularly for Black women in America. Perry delivers a raw, emotionally grounded story that highlights mental health, injustice, and societal neglect.
​
Janiyah's life crumbles in a single catastrophic day. She loses her job, her apartment, and—most devastatingly—her daughter, Aria. A racist police officer (Tilky Jones) runs her off the road, confiscates her expired license, and leaves her stranded. Her daughter’s health issues become unmanageable due to the cost of medicine, and Janiyah struggles to pay rent. Her boss, Richard (Glynn Turman), fires her after she leaves work to tend to Aria at school—and then cruelly refuses to release her final paycheck.
​
When Child Protective Services spots bruises on Aria, they assume abuse and take her away. Desperate and cornered, Janiyah’s day spirals into chaos. A chance encounter with her boss during a robbery leads to her shooting one of the assailants and—later—Richard himself, in a moment of emotional collapse.
​
She races to the bank across the street to cash her now blood-stained paycheck but is denied due to lack of ID. When she places the robber’s gun on the counter, tensions escalate. The blinking lights from Aria’s science project in her bag are mistaken for a bomb, triggering a lockdown.
​
Despite the tense standoff, Nicole (Sherri Shepherd), the bank manager, and Detective Kay Raymond (Teyana Taylor), begin to see the deeper story beneath Janiyah’s desperation. In a heartbreaking moment, Janiyah begs Nicole to look after her daughter, seeking the comfort of knowing Aria will be safe while she faces the consequences of her actions.
Taraji P. Henson delivers a raw, layered, and Oscar-worthy performance—balancing vulnerability, strength, and heartbreak with extraordinary precision. Every glance, pause, and breakdown feels authentic and earned.
​
Tyler Perry, as both writer and director, crafts a story that is grounded in truth and emotional depth. His direction is thoughtful and resonant, delivering a poignant blend of tension, social commentary, and humanity.
​
If I had one critique, it would be the scene where Janiyah shoots her boss. As vile as he is, his death felt like a dramatic leap. Still, it serves as a pivotal moment—Janiyah’s breaking point, her “last straw.”
​
The title Straw comes to life as the film progresses—it’s about how much a person can endure before reaching their limit. The film is an emotional, necessary reminder of how society can fail those who are struggling, and how urgent it is to check in on each other—especially when pride makes it hard to ask for help.
​
If you enjoy emotional, socially resonant dramas driven by strong lead performances, Straw is well worth watching. It’s currently streaming on Netflix. I would rate the movie 8.5 out of 10 based on Taraji P. Henson’s performance and Tyler Perry’s direction.
​
P.S. Keep a box of tissues close. You’ll need them.
