Tyler Perry’s Straw arrives on Netflix on June 6, 2025, delivering a tense, emotionally charged thriller anchored by a powerhouse performance from Taraji P. Henson. Written, produced, and directed by Perry, the film stands out for its urgent social commentary and gripping narrative, making it a must-watch for fans of dramatic thrillers and those interested in stories of resilience against systemic adversity.
Tracklist
Straw follows Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), a single mother in Atlanta whose day goes from bad to catastrophic. After a series of misfortunes, including a combative landlord, an unsympathetic boss, and a violent incident at her workplace, Janiyah finds herself at the center of a bank hostage situation. What begins as a desperate attempt to cash her paycheck for her daughter’s medicine spirals into chaos, with Janiyah inadvertently brandishing a gun and becoming the prime suspect in a crime she never intended to commit.
The movie’s plot is a relentless cascade of setbacks, highlighting the crushing weight of systemic failures on ordinary people. Perry’s direction amplifies the tension, keeping viewers on edge as Janiyah’s situation grows increasingly dire. The supporting cast, including Sherri Shepherd as the well-meaning but overwhelmed bank manager Nicole, and Teyana Taylor as the perceptive Detective Kay Raymond, add depth and urgency to the unfolding crisis.
Straw is a potent exploration of desperation, injustice, and the breaking point of the human spirit. Perry uses melodrama and suspense to shine a light on how society’s institutions often fail those most in need, resonating with viewers who recognize the real-world struggles depicted.
The score composer is Dara Taylor, an American composer known for her film and TV scores, including Strays, The Tender Bar, and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. She studied music at Cornell and NYU and has been nominated for Hollywood Music in Media and Society of Composers awards. Taylor has also worked on major films like Bad Moms and Sausage Party. She is active in industry groups and has participated in the Sundance Composers Lab and Grammy NEXT program.
Straw (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
- Free Janiyah
- Cps
- Run off the Road
- 04 Evicted
- The Bank
- The Robbery
- Police Arrive
- He Won’t Let Me
- Bomb
- To Your Daughter
- Cameras Out
- Negotiation
- Give up Is Being Grateful
- Aria
- Secret Messages
- We Found Him
- Follow My Voice
- My Baby
- The Raid
- Surrender
Straw Soundtrack – Additional Songs
- Let Her Cook – Glorilla (Itunes – Amazon)
- Stay Down – Aimme (Itunes – Amazon)
- Never Know – Wendell “UTK” Nelson (Itunes – Amazon)
- Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin (Itunes – Amazon)
- It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube (Itunes – Amazon)
- Bussin 20’s – Court Knoxx (Itunes – Amazon)
- BLKWMN – Ledisi (Itunes – Amazon)
Straw is available exclusively on Netflix, both for standard and ad-supported subscribers. Simply log in to your Netflix account to stream the film from June 6, 2025.
Straw is a timely, hard-hitting thriller that combines Tyler Perry’s signature dramatic flair with a socially conscious narrative and a stellar cast. And what do you think about the Straw Songs played in the movie?
