Taraji P. Henson Shines in Straw Movie

Taraji P. Henson stars as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother struggling to provide for her sick daughter Aria in the Netflix thriller "Straw", which follows Janiyah on the worst day of her life as she navigates a series of unfortunate events, including a robbery and a desperate hostage situation.

The film takes a dramatic turn when Janiyah, after being framed for the robbery, heads to a bank to cash a check for her daughter's medicine but forgets her ID, leading to a hostage negotiation with Detective Raymond. Despite the intense situation, Janiyah eventually frees the hostages and surrenders herself to the police, revealing a shocking twist that changes the viewer's understanding of the story.

The movie explores themes of systemic failure and desperation, which are timely and thought-provoking, and features a strong performance from Taraji P. Henson, who brings depth to the character of Janiyah. The film's chemistry between Henson and her co-stars, including Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, adds weight to the story, making "Straw" a compelling watch despite its predictable plotting and heavy-handed metaphors.

Tyler Perry's "Straw" has received a strong audience score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers praising the film's emotional impact and Henson's performance. However, critics have been divided, with some praising Henson's acting but criticizing the film's portrayal of the Black American experience and its lack of finesse in storytelling.

Overall, "Straw" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that explores the struggles of a single mother and the consequences of desperation, with Taraji P. Henson delivering a nuanced and powerful performance that makes the movie a must-watch.