Straw

Turned on Netflix, new release and started watching while doing tasks... 5 min into movie I had to sit and watch. The emotional journey for the character- Mom Janiyah, grips your heart and as you're watching the story be told- you realize you're rooting for her to not be alone and be okay. This story, the characters were all developed with complexity that each actor reflected so well- I didn't feel I was watching a movie but I felt apart of the story right up to the credits at end. Thank you for a well written story, talented actors and production that made 2 hrs worth watching- it's been a long time since I felt anything from a movie.

I gave Straw a try because of all the hype and, admittedly, because Taraji P. Henson is a phenomenal actress and to her credit, she delivered a strong, committed performance. Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends.

Like many of Tyler Perry's films, Straw falls into the same tired formula: a struggling single mother, dramatic twists that defy basic logic, and a storyline that leans heavily on stereotypes rather than fresh storytelling. The plot was not only predictable, but at times completely unrealistic, even bordering on absurd.

It's disappointing, especially considering the platform and influence Tyler Perry has. There's a clear opportunity to tell deeper, more nuanced stories, especially about Black women, that doesn't rely on trauma, caricatures, or recycled plotlines. But once again, that opportunity is missed.

Let's be honest: aside from Henson's solid acting, this was a painfully poor film. We need to be more open and objective when discussing these movies. Hype doesn't equal quality, and it's okay to say it: Tyler Perry's films consistently falls short.

Taraji p. Henson earned every dollar on this project - she acted her heart out and truly carried the film. The writing still has that signature tyler perry cringe we've all come to expect, but this time it's handled with a bit more finesse and a noticeable step up in overall quality. Honestly, this is the best story he's written in a long while. The pacing kept me engaged, and the twist was genuinely unexpected - it caught me off guard in the best way. I really appreciated how everything wrapped up in the conclusion. If you're hesitant, i say give it a shot. It's worth watching and delivers a solid experience.

WOW. I've never had a movie genuinely almost make me cry. At the beginning I felt the main characters emotions we it they eer my own and sympathized with her. The twist at the end was something I that genuinely had my jaw DROP and feel as if I was about to start crying. The only thing preventing me from giving it a 10 star is the ending, despite it being a confusing at first it's something I eventually understood. This is the perfect "Monsters aren't born, they're made." Type of movie that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Another banger my Tyler Perry, I love movies like this. If you like suspense based movies revolving around the "bad guy," you'll ADORE this.

I actually really like the story for this movie, more than I thought it would. It was in many ways relatable, and often left me deep in thought about societal ills. For that I give it credit.

The writing is so so. A lot of the dialogue especially was very amateurish and unrealistic. This also made the actors seem worse than they were.

The lead(s) did amazing, absolutely nailed it. A lot of the rest of the cast, especially most if not all of the people portraying police, seemed really poorly acted, however.

That's where I landed on a 6. I think it's a good movie that most people will enjoy, but had too many warts to rate much higher.