‘Straw’ (2025) Netflix Movie Review - Weak Plot But Strong Acting

Through Tyler Perry's Straw, we see firsthand the misery of economic precarity and its impact on people. At the core of the plot stands Janiyah, a single mother who juggles two menial jobs to make ends meet. She already has an eviction notice and an innocent daughter. Throughout the first half, all we see is the humiliation that Janiyah faces from her landlord and the facets of her life. In a place where there is so much poverty, we feel like we, too, are living this experience with Janiyah, and such is the storytelling of Tyler Perry. Up to this point, we think that nothing more can go wrong, but it does.  But we are wrong. She loses her job and ends up in the middle of a robbery, where she ends up firing at the robber. With blood on her clothes and a stolen pistol, she marches up to a bank holding dearly to herself a worthless cheque. We can hear sirens with news portraying Janiyah as a domestic terrorist. Inside the store, customers are divided - some think she is a villain, while others believe she isn't. 

Again, the plot might seem similar and lacks originality. And that is fine, but the film falters at its execution. We see so much struggle with hardly any respite. The characters, including law enforcement agents and hostages, feel very disconnected and unrealistic. The message we receive here is about how society fails innocent people and how their families end up suffering as well. But isn't that too obvious of a theme? Why doesn't it make it sound better?

We do understand her frustration. However, it feels like the film is forcing us to feel sympathy for her. That can go against the plot and the scriptwriters. When it comes to pacing, some scenes feel like they're being dragged for no reason. We understand that she is poor and is having a hard time. But what after that? What is she doing? Can this suffering come to an end? You might be reminded of the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" when we see the struggles. However, the rest of the film pales in comparison to that.

The actors are a saving grace. They bring life to the odd script. Even though the characters have the potential to be written more powerfully, it is the actors who showcase their skills and bring out the best in them. They ultimately save the movie from completely sinking. It is their acting that makes us want to sympathize with them and feel their pain.

 
There are also some other movies coming out. If you don't want to watch something that makes you cry and feel frustrated due to its pace, this movie is not your weekend choice. You can opt for something else and pass on this one.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times