TYLER PERRY AND TARAJI P. HENSON'S STRAW VIEWER’S REACTIONS AND RAVES.

Netflix premiered Tyler Perry’s Straw on June 6, 2025 and it's been a lightning rod for conversation ever since its release in what many are calling one of Taraji P. Henson’s most soul-shattering performances to date. The psychological crime drama packs 108 minutes of emotional intensity, led by phenomenal performances from Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Glynn Turman and Rockmond Dunbar.

The film follows Janiyah (Taraji P. Henson), a devoted single mom whose already-crumbling world somehow manages to fall even further apart over one harrowing day Janiyah’s mind has constructed an alternate reality. As her mental health crumbles mid-crisis, the public finds itself compelled to empathise with her pain and desperation.

HERE ARE SOME REACTIONS ON X TO STRAW:

These voices reflect the film’s resonance, many say it breaks through silence to shine a spotlight on overlooked emotional truths.

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Straw is a must-see that reminds us that empathy shouldn’t be earned through suffering. It teaches that grief doesn’t follow rules or timelines and it calls out the ways society turns a blind eye until someone snaps. Perry may be known for melodrama but emotionally, the performances land hard, especially from Taraji P. Henson, who gives everything and more in every frame. Her portrayal of Janiyah is heartbreaking, vulnerable and unshakably human.

There’s a line Janiyah keeps repeating, “I just wanna cash my check”, and it hits even harder when we learn the reason behind it: she just wanted to buy lunch for her daughter. That moment, like so many in Straw, lingers. It’s almost too sad in its simplicity and truth.

What also makes this film resonate deeply is how it centres Black women, not just in pain, but in presence. The other women in the story, such as the bank supervisor played by Sherri Shepherd and the police officer played by Teyana Taylor, all add textured, believable layers to the narrative. Their performances reflect a quiet understanding, the unspoken connection that often exists between Black women in moments of shared tension and survival. These weren’t just background roles—they brought nuance, empathy, and truth to the screen.

Whether you walk away moved, disturbed, or both, one thing is certain: Straw will stay with you. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll make you think twice before asking someone to carry more than they already are. To watch Straw is to confront how we overlook mental health, especially in Black communities where strength is too often mistaken for stability. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s a powerful one and sometimes, that’s what matters most.