Tyler Perry’s Straw premiered on Netflix and left me completely on edge from start to finish. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that unfolds through the character of Janiyah Wiltkinson—played masterfully by Taraji P. Henson—who finds herself spiraling mentally after a series of devastating life events. Her performance was, in my opinion, the most gripping and powerful I’ve ever seen from her. Taraji has always been able to carry a role, but this one? Hands down, award-worthy. If she doesn’t win something major for this, shame on the powers that be.
While the film has received mixed reactions from critics—some feeling Perry leaned too heavily into melodrama without fully fleshing out deeper systemic issues—I had a very different experience. Strawtook me back to my own childhood. Although my experiences weren’t as extreme as what’s depicted, the emotion was all too familiar. I remember being one of the kids with the “different lunch.” I remember the stares, the silence, and the unspoken weight of not having what other students had. It hit me hard.
And later, as a parent, I remember the pain of not being able to give my child the very best, even when I tried with everything I had. Some of the scenes felt eerily familiar. That’s the part that stuck with me—how easily someone could break under that pressure. The mental toll. The emotional exhaustion. It’s not just storytelling—it’s truth for so many.
While Straw may not be perfect in its execution, it shines a light on very real issues—poverty, mental health, and the silent suffering that often goes unnoticed. It’s a reminder of where many of us come from, the progress we’ve made, and the importance of continuing to reach back and pay it forward. Because for some, what’s portrayed in this film isn’t a memory—it’s still their reality.
