Tyler Perry’s latest film, STRAW, shot straight into Netflix’s Top 10 following its premiere on 6 June, and it’s not hard to see why. In classic Tyler Perry style, the film is deeply layered, emotionally intense, and rooted in the lived experiences of Black women.
At the heart of it is the harrowing story of a single mother, played by Taraji P. Henson, who finds herself pushed to the edge by a relentless series of traumatic events. As a single mother myself, watching this film felt deeply personal. Perry has a particular ability to hold up a mirror to the realities of Black womanhood, especially for those living at the margins of society. STRAW doesn't just tell a story; it reflects the silent, isolating, often invisible struggle of raising a child without support, and the daily toll that comes with trying to survive, let alone thrive.
Taraji's character (whose name we never forget by the end) is doing everything she can to keep her daughter safe and healthy. But one blow after another; eviction, job loss, police brutality, having her child taken away, pushes her into an impossible situation: holding up a bank, just to cash her own cheque so her daughter can have a meal.
And here’s where the story hits hardest. While the setup is dramatic, the emotion is all too real. It's not a film about crime, it's a film about desperation, motherhood, and what happens when society refuses to see you. What truly shattered me was the devastating reveal of her daughter’s death, a detail the bank manager withholds during the hostage standoff, which could have completely altered the course of events.
Still, amid the chaos, there’s a glimmer of hope, a female police officer who sees her humanity, and a community that begins to rally behind her. It’s ironic, and heartbreaking, that she had to reach her final straw just to be heard.
What STRAW left me with is this: being a single mother can feel like the most isolating journey — but there’s a silent thread that connects us all. And holding us together is the fierce, unconditional love we have for our children. Janiyah is every single mother who’s ever had to hold it all together while falling apart, who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, and stretched beyond her limits. Her story may be extreme, but the pain, love, and sacrifice are achingly real.
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