Tyler Perry’s psychological thriller Straw premiered on Netflix on June 6, 2025, and quickly became a streaming phenomenon. The film scored the biggest week for a Netflix film in 2025, racking up an impressive 48.9 million views, making it not just a commercial success but also a cultural conversation starter. Led by powerhouse actress Taraji P. Henson, the cast brings depth to this intense drama about a single mother’s breaking point.
Main Cast Members
Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson
Taraji P. Henson portrays Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother living in a dilapidated apartment with her frequently ill daughter, Aria. This marks the third Tyler Perry movie to star Henson as the central character after I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009) and Acrimony (2018).
Henson’s performance is phenomenal, layered and deeply moving, with critics acknowledging that Taraji P. Henson is awards-worthy for her portrayal of a woman experiencing psychological breakdown.
Taraji P. Henson’s Notable Works:
- Hidden Figures (2016)
- Empire TV series (2015-2020)
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
- Hustle & Flow (2005)
Sherri Shepherd as Nicole
Sherri Shepherd plays Nicole, a bank manager who becomes an unexpected ally to Janiyah. When Janiyah tries to cash her cheque at the bank, Nicole tries to help her, later becoming the only one who truly understands Janiyah’s situation.
Sherri Shepherd is the real surprise here, bringing heart and depth that lingers long after the credits roll. Her dramatic turn impressed viewers, with audiences praising the great acting chemistry between Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd.
Sherri Shepherd’s Career:
- The View (2007-2014, 2022-present)
- 30 Rock (2007-2013)
- The Sex Life of College Girls
Teyana Taylor as Detective Kay Raymond
Teyana Taylor plays Detective Kay Raymond, a former Army negotiator working as a detective. Despite learning about Janiyah’s act at the bank, Raymond remains sympathetic and apprehends the officer who had threatened Janiyah earlier.
Teyana Taylor is a standout as the composed negotiator, bringing emotional intelligence to her role as the law enforcement officer who sees beyond the crime.
Teyana Taylor’s Acting Experience:
- Coming 2 America (2021)
- The Book of Clarence (2023)
- Music videos and reality TV
Sinbad as Benny
Sinbad plays Benny, a neighbor in a wheelchair. Janiyah gives spare change to Benny, prompting her landlord to threaten eviction unless rent is paid by 10:00 a.m. The legendary comedian brings depth to this supporting role.
Glynn Turman as Richard
Glynn Turman portrays Richard, Janiyah’s mean and strict boss at the grocery store. Richard orders Janiyah to clean up after a customer throws a bottle at her, shows no sympathy when she needs to leave for a family emergency, and refuses to release her paycheck.
Glynn Turman’s Recent Work:
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Veteran actor with decades of experience
Rockmond Dunbar as Chief Wilson
Rockmond Dunbar plays Chief Wilson, adding authority to the law enforcement narrative.
Rockmond Dunbar’s Background:
- Soul Food
- 9-1-1
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Supporting Cast
Ashley Versher as Tessa George
Ashley Versher portrays Tessa George, a bank teller. Tessa secretly writes a note on a bathroom window, revealing the supposed bomb is just Aria’s science project.
Mike Merrill as Detective Grimes
Mike Merrill plays Detective Grimes, the detective who works with Raymond. Detectives Raymond and Grimes investigate the grocery store incident and are later informed of the bank robbery.
Mike Merrill has appeared in:
- The Black Hamptons
- All American
- BMF
Additional Cast Members
The cast also includes Shalèt Monique as Rayah Dunnam, Diva Tyler as Isabella (Janiyah’s daughter), Fracaswell Hyman as Marvin, Doris Woodruff as Dorothy, and Derek Phillips.
Other notable cast members include:
- Gabrielle E Jackson as Aria (Janiyah’s daughter)
- Anthony E. Williams as Officer Dickson
- Tilky Jones in a supporting role
- Katrina Nelson
- Justin James Boykin
The Plot: What Happens in Straw
Janiyah’s Devastating Day
Janiyah Wiltkinson lives in a run-down apartment with her frequently ill daughter, Aria. One morning, Aria tells Janiyah that her teacher announced she couldn’t afford lunch. The day spirals from bad to catastrophic.
A customer throws a bottle at Janiyah after she refuses to accept a WIC card for non-eligible items. While in the back, she receives a call that Aria was injured during a seizure in the bathtub. At school, she is confronted by the principal and Child Protective Services, who take Aria into custody.
The Turning Point
As Janiyah drives back to work in the rain, she accidentally cuts off an off-duty police officer who throws a drink at her and runs her off the road. Police impound her car due to expired documents. She’s fired from her job, and when she gets home, she finds her belongings thrown out—she has been evicted.
When she returns to the store to confront her boss, two armed robbers break in. During the struggle, she grabs the gun and shoots the robber. Her former boss accuses her of planning the robbery, and panicking, Janiyah fatally shoots him.
The Bank Standoff
At the bank, the teller refuses to cash her check without ID. Desperate, Janiyah pulls a gun, prompting the teller to cash the check. A silent alarm is triggered. The bank manager, Nicole, recognizes Janiyah and tries to calm her.
Raymond, a former Army negotiator, offers to speak with Janiyah. They begin to build a rapport over the phone. Meanwhile, a bank teller secretly live streams the situation, drawing public sympathy.
The Shocking Twist
Tyler Perry’s film is called Straw for a simple reason. “Everything that can go wrong, goes wrong in this one day,” Henson explains. “It’s about how humans operate in that heightened state of panic and anxiety”.
The ending caused an uproar on social media. Janiyah’s mother calls to reveal that Aria, Janiyah’s daughter, has been dead the whole day. Aria had a seizure the previous night and died at the hospital. Flashbacks reveal that Aria’s presence throughout the day had been a hallucination. The school had not called, and CPS was never involved.
Nicole, aware of Aria’s death, had stayed to protect Janiyah from herself. As the FBI prepares to storm the bank, tear gas is fired. It turns out that Janiyah survives, as the scene of cops shooting her is just another of Janiyah’s imagination. Nicole brings Janiyah to reality and takes her hand to go out with her as a human shield.
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Behind the Scenes
Tyler Perry: Writer, Director, Producer
The film is written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry. Also producing are Angi Bones and Tony Strickland for Netflix. It was filmed in Atlanta at Tyler Perry Studios.
Tyler was inspired to write the script about the current economic state and because he grew up witnessing single mothers struggle to provide for their children.
Production Team
- Cinematographer: Justyn Moro
- Editor: Nick Coker
- Music Composer: Dara Taylor
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Mixed Critical Reviews
While Straw reviews praise Taraji P. Henson’s powerful performance, they criticize Perry’s poor writing, the film’s melodramatic plot, and frustrating ending. The movie suffers from poor writing, heavy-handed melodrama, and weak supporting performances, though many praise Taraji P. Henson’s acting for elevating the material.
Straw debuted with a 46% “rotten” score from the critics. As more critics watched the film, the thriller’s score slightly improved to 50%.
Strong Audience Connection
Audiences have been much more favorable towards Straw, indicated by its 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences enjoyed the film, with Straw currently enjoying a 72% approval on the Popcornmeter.
Many viewers praised it as an amazing depiction of mental health and the broken parts no one talks about, particularly resonating with those who have experienced mental health struggles as single mothers.
Streaming Success
Following its release on June 6, Straw ranks first on Netflix’s Global Top 10 movies for the week of June 2–8 with 25.3 million views and 45.5 million hours viewed. The mystery thriller had achieved two major feats: the biggest week this year for a movie and the biggest week for a 2025 launch.
In its second week, Straw also became the third most-watched title on IMDb’s Top 10.
Themes and Social Commentary
Mental Health Awareness
The film addresses mental health in the Black community, depicting Janiyah’s psychotic break and how the mentally ill can be misunderstood. It shows how people can end up in the criminal justice system during moments of mental breakdown.
Single Mother Struggles
“Janiyah is a woman who doesn’t really have a voice,” Henson says. “She hasn’t been allowed to find it and she’s just trying to survive under the radar”. The film explores a single mother pushed to the brink by a world that seems indifferent to her existence, forced to confront impossible choices in a society that offers her no safety net.
Economic Hardship
From Janiyah’s trip to her daughter’s school resulting in Child Protective Services involvement, to the threat of eviction, and her boss showing nothing but apathy for his employees, it feels like everyone’s out to get her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays the main character in Straw?
Taraji P. Henson plays Janiyah Wiltkinson, the lead character who is a single mother pushed to her breaking point.
Is Straw based on a true story?
Straw is not based on a true story, but Tyler was inspired to write the script about the current economic state and because he grew up witnessing single mothers struggle to provide for their children.
What is the twist ending in Straw?
The ending reveals that Aria, Janiyah’s daughter, has been dead the whole day. Aria had a seizure the previous night and died at the hospital. Janiyah subconsciously suppressed the fact that her daughter died and was living the day as if Aria was still alive.
Does Janiyah die at the end of Straw?
Janiyah survives. The scene of cops shooting her is just another of Janiyah’s imagination. Nicole brings Janiyah to reality and Detective Kay Raymond brings her into custody.
When did Straw release on Netflix?
Straw was released by Netflix on June 6, 2025.
How successful was Straw on Netflix?
It scored the biggest week for a Netflix film in 2025, beating out past titles like Amy Schumer’s Kinda Pregnant, The Electric State, and Fear Street: Prom Queen, racking up 48.9 million views.
What is Tyler Perry’s relationship with Taraji P. Henson?
This is the third Tyler Perry movie to star Henson as the central character after I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009) and Acrimony (2018).
Where was Straw filmed?
It was filmed in Atlanta at Tyler Perry Studios.
Cast Performances: Critical Analysis
Taraji P. Henson’s Powerhouse Acting
In an interview, Taraji P. Henson spoke about the plot twist: “Reading the script, I was blown away. What it showed me was that she snapped a long time ago. She snapped the day before. She wasn’t even in her body, to be quite honest”.
Despite the movie’s obvious excesses, Henson’s performance and chemistry with the cast drive forward the socially relevant heart of the film.
Sherri Shepherd’s Dramatic Breakthrough
Sherri Shepherd brings heart to her character, proving her range extends far beyond her comedy roots. Her portrayal of Nicole as a compassionate ally provides the emotional anchor during the film’s intense standoff sequences.
Teyana Taylor’s Nuanced Detective
Raymond gets emotional during her negotiations with Janiyah, ignoring everyone and deciding to talk about her own situation. She empathizes with her as a single mother herself, adding layers of understanding to the law enforcement perspective.
Tyler Perry’s Directing Style
The script is ambitious, threading issues of class, trauma, broken systems, and maternal desperation, mostly effectively, but occasionally with the finesse of a kitchen sink. The tension builds well, but the third act veers into twist-heavy territory that feels more clever than necessary.
Visually, the film nails the claustrophobia. Close-ups, flickering livestreams, rain-lashed windows—Perry keeps it tight and tense.
Why Audiences Connected With Straw
Despite mixed critical reviews, audiences largely lauded Henson and Shepherd’s performances, while some hailed Straw’s twist ending. The emotions are so raw and the performances are so earnest that you’ve really got to have a heart of stone not to care for these people.
While Tyler Perry’s movies often struggle to win over critics, their consistent success on Netflix proves that they continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Where to Watch Straw
Straw is streaming exclusively on Netflix. The film’s runtime is 105 minutes and is rated TV-MA for mature audiences.
Final Thoughts
The cast of Straw delivers emotionally charged performances that elevate Tyler Perry’s psychological thriller. Taraji P. Henson is phenomenal, her performance layered and deeply moving, while Sherri Shepherd brings heart and depth that lingers long after the credits roll.
With 48.9 million views in its first week, the film has proven that audiences are hungry for stories that tackle difficult subjects like mental health, economic inequality, and the struggles of single mothers. Whether you’re drawn to powerful performances, psychological thrillers, or socially conscious storytelling, the cast of Straw makes this Netflix film worth watching.
Stream Straw now on Netflix to witness these remarkable performances and experience one of 2025’s most talked-about psychological thrillers.
