Straw (2025) Review: A Emotional Rollercoaster that Offers Little Respite

 

courtesy Netflix

By Shaquanna Stevens | Her Reel Review

Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix release, Straw, starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor, arrives with high expectations given its talented cast and Perry’s established presence in contemporary Black cinema. However, while the film aims to tell a gritty story of loss, trauma, and maternal struggle, it ultimately falters in its execution, resulting in an emotionally exhausting experience that struggles to connect.

A Promising Cast, A Confounding Story

The film centers on Taraji P. Henson’s character, a mother grappling with life’s harsh realities and her young daughter’s wellbeing. Yet, despite Henson’s commanding screen presence and undeniable talent, the character’s development feels uneven and often unrelatable. Early scenes present her as harsh and confrontational in ways that make it difficult for the audience to empathize or understand her motivations. This lack of clear emotional grounding undermines the film’s attempt to elicit sympathy.

Compounding this, the narrative leaves significant gaps in the protagonist’s backstory, including a puzzling fifteen-year void that begs questions about her journey to this precarious point. At 52 years old, Henson’s character is the mother of an eight-year-old, yet the film offers no insight into this late motherhood or the circumstances leading to her current state—struggling in a dilapidated apartment with uncertain employment prospects.

Stereotypes and Missed Opportunities

The supporting cast includes Teyana Taylor, who delivers a commendable performance but whose character’s role and presence feel constrained by the script’s limitations. The film leans into problematic tropes, particularly in its portrayal of white characters, many of whom are cast as antagonists or emotionally distant figures, reinforcing simplistic binaries rather than nuanced portrayals.

The choice to cast Henson at her actual age, while authentic, would have benefited from a script that accounted for her character’s life story with more complexity. Taylor, in her 30s, might have been a more believable choice for the role of a mother to a young child, which raises questions about the story’s internal logic and character consistency.

A Twist That Undermines the Narrative

Straw takes a dramatic turn with a twist revealing that many events viewers witnessed were part of the protagonist’s delusions. The heartbreaking truth is that her daughter has died, a revelation that reframes the entire narrative. While the twist has potential for powerful emotional impact, it falls short due to a lack of cohesive storytelling around the aftermath.

The film misses opportunities to explore the profound grief and denial the mother experiences. Instead, it presents a series of disjointed scenes that fail to deliver meaningful emotional payoff. The school’s ambiguous role, the unclear knowledge among characters about the daughter’s death, and the protagonist’s isolation are left frustratingly unexplored.

A Traumatizing Conclusion

Following the revelation, the film culminates with a surreal hallucination of the protagonist being fatally shot by a SWAT team—an intense and unsettling sequence that ultimately proves imaginary. This choice to add an additional layer of trauma after already confronting viewers with devastating loss feels gratuitous and excessive.

While Straw undoubtedly aims to portray the brutal realities many face, its refusal to provide moments of emotional relief or hope renders the viewing experience emotionally draining rather than enlightening. Where films like Precious find pockets of humanity and light amid darkness, Straw remains engulfed in relentless pain, missing opportunities to foster catharsis or healing.

Final Verdict

Straw is an ambitious film that attempts to delve into themes of grief, trauma, and systemic failure. Unfortunately, it becomes weighed down by underdeveloped characters, problematic stereotypes, and a narrative structure that undermines its emotional resonance. The film offers no respite from trauma, nor does it provide avenues for understanding or redemption.

For viewers seeking stories that confront harsh truths but also offer depth and complexity, Straw may prove a frustrating and exhausting watch. While the performances, particularly by Henson and Taylor, offer moments of brilliance, they are not enough to salvage the film’s disjointed and bleak storytelling.

What are your thoughts on Straw? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Shaquanna Stevens is a film critic and content creator dedicated to reviewing films by Black creators and exploring the intersections of horror, romance, and fantasy cinema. Follow her at Her Reel Review.

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