\Straw, the latest thriller from Tyler Perry starring Taraji P. Henson, has sparked a heated debate between critics and audiences—but one thing’s certain: viewers are hooked.
Plot Overview
In Straw, Henson plays Janiyah, a single mother whose life spirals out of control over one traumatic day. After being evicted, fired, and harassed by an unsympathetic system, she ends up in a high-stakes bank standoff. A pivotal twist reveals that much of the day was a hallucination—her daughter Aria had died the night before, and Janiyah had been coping with grief in real time.
Audience Response: Emotional Rollercoaster
Netflix audiences gave Straw an impressive 80% “Popcornmeter” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Social media is flooded with praise:
-
“Watching Straw…hits close to home,” one fan shared.
-
“If Taraji P‑Henson don’t get a damn Oscar for this I will raise HELL!” another exclaimed, highlighting Henson’s raw and gripping portrayal.
On Reddit, one user declared:
“Tyler Perry, Taraji Henson done did it. Straw is fire…a tear jerker…AwardBound” .
Clearly, the film resonates deeply with many viewers.
Critic Reviews: Mixed Signals
Critics have been far less enthusiastic. Reviews range from disappointed to harsh:
-
The Guardian called it “one of Perry’s more coherent and impactful films,” though it criticized the handling of Black female experiences .
-
The Washington Post called it heartfelt but flawed, praising the empathy in Perry’s storytelling .
-
Decider and Screen Rant were more critical, pointing to heavy-handed writing and predictable plot turns—even as they acknowledged Henson’s standout performance.
Rotten Tomatoes reflects this split: a 50% critic score versus the strong audience rating.
Taraji P. Henson: The Emotional Anchor
Even dissenting reviews agree: Henson delivers. Screen Rant calls her performance “an acting masterclass”, while Entertainment Weekly praised her ability to embody Janiyah’s unraveling composure. Critics agree she carries the film through its more uneven elements.
What’s Next for Straw?
Streaming now on Netflix (since June 6), Straw continues to generate buzz—some audiences are championing it as Perry’s best work yet and even calling for awards recognition. Meanwhile, critical voices question whether the film’s dramatic punches weight up to its emotional aims.
0 Comments