Is Tyler Perry’s ‘Straw’ Worth a Watch? – My Honest Review

• Salimat Oluwakemi Garba

Tyler Perry’s latest film, Straw, has been making waves recently, garnering lots of hype and glowing recommendations. After encountering countless social media posts and word-of-mouth reviews praising how emotional, intense, and touching it was, I decided to watch it for myself.

• Picture: Netflix

Daily Mail UK even described it as a “tear-jerker” and “an absolutely heartbreaking thriller so intense fans have had to take a break halfway through.” Nigerian filmmaker Ini Edo, applauding Taraji P. Henson’s performance, wrote:

The most believable performance I have ever seen on screen. I had uncontrollable tears as you ripped the character apart.

Knowing it was a psychological thriller, I waited for a time when my mind felt calm and focused. As someone who enjoys psychological thrillers and true crime documentaries, I have a pretty high threshold for suspense and emotional pull – I’ve seen hundreds of intense storylines, so it takes something truly exceptional to move me.

But Straw didn’t.

Despite the emotional reviews, I felt… nothing. It felt more like a regular drama than an intense psychological thriller. The only slightly gripping moment came at the end, with a plot twist that, unfortunately, felt recycled – almost identical to the 2019 film Fractured, which was, frankly, better executed.

• Picture: Netflix

I was able to use my phone and respond to messages during the film without missing anything crucial. That alone tells you how undemanding the story was; I didn’t need to rewind a single scene. And no, my distraction wasn’t the reason I didn’t enjoy it – the film simply didn’t hold me.

I even questioned myself: Have I become emotionally numb? Has life hardened my heart so much that I can’t feel anymore? But no! The answer is simpler. The film just didn’t strike that chord. It dragged unnecessarily, especially for a thriller. There were moments of potential, but they weren’t fully developed.

It appeared like emotions were being forced down the viewers’ throats from different angles: from Janiyah’s life, to detective Raymond sharing her story, to the bank manager’s contrbutions, to the protesters. It felt like a waste of my time.

To be clear, Taraji P. Henson is a phenomenal actress. She delivered a solid performance and did her best with what she was given. But even she couldn’t save this film from its flaws.

• Picture: Netflix

A Facebook user captured my exact thoughts:

I saw this movie Straw some days ago, and this is me apologising for not feeling what everyone else felt. I watched with dry eyes, a frown, and a mild headache. I’ve exhausted all my feelings for stories like this, felt all there is to feel.

Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes reflected the same division. One viewer said:

That unexpected ending hit me hard – as a mother, I couldn’t help but cry my eyes out. I absolutely loved this film! Definitely a must-rewatch!”

Another disagreed entirely:

Tyler Perry makes it difficult to sympathise with the lead. Some of the worst acting from the supporting cast, and the script can be relatable to some, but is over the top, and unrealistic!

And another put it bluntly:

Excessive sentimentality and weak character development.

In the end, Straw may move some people deeply – but for me, it missed the mark.