Tyler Perry’s Straw is drawing attention on Netflix for all the right reasons—at least according to the audience. Released under Perry’s multi-year creative partnership with the streaming platform, the film has sparked emotional reactions and high praise from viewers.
The drama stars Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother struggling to care for her sick daughter. Supporting performances from Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor round out the cast.
Perry, who wrote, directed, and produced the movie, shared that the story is deeply relatable. “She’s just trying to survive,” he explained. “I think a lot of people, no matter who they are, will relate to the feeling of being at their last straw.”
Straw premiered on Netflix on Friday. Since then, it has earned an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter. The film does not yet have a critic rating, but social media is already full of strong reactions.
“Currently watching Straw on Netflix, and it’s been a long time since a movie touched me this hard,” one viewer wrote. “It hits close to home thinking about people who are actually going through so much in life.”
Another fan added, “I don’t care what anyone says about Tyler Perry, Straw was phenomenal!”
Much of the praise centers on Taraji P. Henson’s performance. One viewer said, “If Taraji P. Henson don’t get a damn Oscar for this, I will raise HELL!” Another added, “Every scene in this movie just traumatized me. She is truly one of the greatest actresses of her generation.”
Not everyone is impressed. Some critics have offered mixed reactions. In a two-star review, The Guardian’s Andrew Lawrence praised Henson’s work but criticized the film’s direction. He noted, “It’s just a shame that after hiring her for four films now, Perry is still treating her like a speed bag.”
Still, viewers seem to disagree. Many feel Straw tells a story that reflects real emotional and financial struggles. Fans appreciate its focus on survival, motherhood, and resilience.
Beyond Henson, audiences have applauded Sherri Shepherd’s grounded performance and Teyana Taylor’s role as Officer Kay Raymond. Together, the cast adds depth to Perry’s vision of hardship and hope.
While critics remain split, Straw has clearly struck a chord with audiences. The film reflects Perry’s long-standing focus on stories about Black families, especially women enduring adversity.
As more viewers discover Straw, its audience score may rise even further. Whether critics warm up to it or not, Perry has again shown that he knows how to connect with everyday people.
