A routine day unravels into chaos for Janiyah, a single mother in Atlanta, in Tyler Perry’s newest Netflix drama Straw. Portrayed with gripping intensity by Taraji P. Henson, Janiyah’s world collapses under the weight of everyday injustices and systemic pressure—until one fateful moment pushes her over the edge.
The film opens with a morning that’s already gone off the rails. From a condescending landlord and an unrelenting boss to an apathetic school administrator and a hostile off-duty police officer, Janiyah’s patience is battered from every direction. Then, at the grocery store where she works, a violent incident draws police attention—though Janiyah herself isn’t directly involved. She’s across the parking lot at her local bank, trying to cash a paycheck without proper ID.
A minor confrontation with the bank teller escalates rapidly. Frustrated and emotionally frayed, Janiyah pulls a gun. Within minutes, the scene transforms into a hostage crisis. Her daughter’s transparent backpack sets off alarms when something inside flashes red. Meanwhile, Nicole (Sherri Shepherd), the branch manager, panics and calls authorities—exaggerating the threat by claiming Janiyah has a bomb.
Enter Detective Kay Raymond, played with sharp composure by Teyana Taylor (A Thousand and One). While the facts point to Janiyah’s guilt, Raymond senses a deeper story behind the unfolding crisis and steps in as a negotiator. Her character brings nuance to the standoff, highlighting how desperation can be misread as danger.
True to Perry’s trademark storytelling style, Straw leans into melodrama, building tension scene by scene. The suspense never lets up, with every moment challenging the viewer’s expectations. While the final act may feel overly twist-heavy, the emotional core remains grounded in Henson’s powerhouse performance. Her portrayal of a woman emotionally unraveling under society’s weight is raw, believable, and heart-wrenching.
Straw doesn’t just deliver thrills—it examines the fragile balance between survival and collapse. And in doing so, it asks a haunting question: How far can a person be pushed before they break?