À bout

Taraji's acting is superb - as it always is - but this movie seems beneath her. Most of the movie - except for the reveal at the end - felt like one of those Dhar Mann films on Facebook.

The supporting characters were terrible, the plot was unbelievable, and it felt like a cheap attempt at a difficult and nuanced topic. I could not believe the lack of understanding the script had for law enforcement processes.

I have not seen much of Tyler Perry's recent movies, but if this is the level of his films these days, then that is truly disappointing and someone needs to save Taraji from his projects.

Tyler Perry's Straw is an emotional knockout. It's a raw, honest look at how people carry silent pain until something small becomes the breaking point. Taraji P. Henson is phenomenal as always-her performance is layered and deeply moving. Sherri Shepherd is the real surprise here. She is absolutely amazing, bringing heart and depth that lingers long after the credits roll. This film reminds us that everyone's struggle looks different, and sometimes it only takes one moment to unravel it all. It has the heart and weight of an early 2000s classic. The only thing that keeps it from fully landing in that space is the cinematography. While it gets the job done, it doesn't elevate the story the way it could. Tyler has worked with this DP before, and I'd really like to see a stronger visual approach next time to match the caliber of the performances and script. Still, Straw is one of Perry's most honest and powerful films to date.

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.

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 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.