Latest news with #Janiyah
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tyler Perry's Straw divides audiences with emotional performances and flawed storytelling on Netflix
Tyler Perry's latest film, Straw, debuted June 6 on Netflix and is already stirring strong reactions. While praised by some viewers for its emotional intensity, the film has also drawn criticism for its forced plot and underwhelming production design. Written and directed by Perry, Straw follows Janiyah (played by Taraji P. Henson), a single mother enduring a string of hardships—losing her job, facing eviction, and clashing with a corrupt police officer—before finding herself entangled in a high-stakes confrontation at a bank. Screen Rant's Grant Hermanns critiques the film's plot for feeling overly contrived, stating that its attempts to build tension often come off as predictable and illogical. However, he acknowledges that Henson's emotionally charged performance adds a compelling depth to an otherwise uneven story. A dramatic twist involving a vision of police storming the bank and shooting Janiyah momentarily evokes sympathy, but is quickly reversed, weakening the film's emotional payoff. Hermanns also notes that despite moments of effective drama, the film's low production quality—reportedly filmed in just four days—detracts from its impact. Sets appear underdressed, and the cinematography lacks polish, making the experience feel visually flat. Still, Henson's performance is widely praised, with many agreeing she delivers a powerful portrayal of a woman pushed to her limits. Sherri Shepherd's supporting role as a compassionate bank manager also earned recognition. Audience reactions online are deeply divided. While some viewers resonate with the film's raw depiction of systemic struggles, others criticize its logic and execution. Whether seen as a flawed social drama or a necessary emotional outcry, Straw is undeniably sparking conversation—and controversy—on Netflix.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, and more (June 7-8)
The weekend is here, and the best streaming services are flooded with plenty of great new movies to beat the heat with. Which can make narrowing down what to watch a headache in and of itself. At the top of our weekend watchlist is 'Sinners,' one of the biggest hits of the year so far, arriving on premium video-on-demand streaming. Over on Netflix, you'll find Tyler Perry's newest high-stakes drama, "Straw," about a struggling single mother pushed past her breaking point. For even more thrills, Prime Video just got the Ben Affleck-led sequel "The Accountant 2." Meanwhile, if you're looking for other flavors of horror, Peacock has the razor-sharp satire "The Blackening," while Steven Soderbergh's "Presence," a cerebral twist on the haunted house genre, just landed on Hulu. So let's dive into all the best new movies to watch this weekend that just landed on streaming. For even more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out our round-up of all the top new TV shows you'll want to binge-watch. The box office success and pop culture phenomenon "Sinners" is now streaming. So if you missed Ryan Coogler's hit horror movie in theaters, now's your chance to catch it at home. "Sinners" stars Michael B. Jordan in a double role as enterprising twins Smoke and Stack, who leave their troubled lives in Chicago behind to start a juke joint in their small hometown in Mississippi. Rather than a welcoming committee, they discover a supernatural evil has taken root in their community, and it's leaching off the talents and energy of Black folks. This horror-thriller is a gripping, stylish ride packed with standout performances and an unforgettable musical score, making it an absolute must-watch for horror fans. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Buy or rent now on Amazon Tyler Perry's no stranger to heartwrenching dramas, and his latest, "Straw," follows a struggling single mother pushed to her absolute breaking point. Taraji P. Henson stars as Janiyah, whose day from hell just keeps going downhill. Just when it seems things can't get worse, she returns to her workplace to collect her final paycheck, only to walk into a deadly armed robbery. She survives, but when the bank refuses to cash her check to pay for her daughter's medicine, it proves to be her breaking point. With nothing left to lose, Janiyah takes a desperate stand, holding the bank and its occupants hostage. A bank teller (Sherri Shepherd) caught in the chaos begins to empathize with Janiyah's pain. Meanwhile, outside, Detective Raymond (Teyana Taylor) leads the negotiation, determined to bring the situation to a peaceful end and convinced that Janiyah isn't a criminal, but a mother stretched impossibly thin. But with tension rising and the odds stacked against her, it's hard to believe this day won't take an even darker turn. Watch it now on Netflix Ben Affleck returns as the money laundering Christian Wolff in the action thriller sequel "The Accountant 2," which just landed on Prime Video after racking up a respectable $100 million at the box office. Though its theatrical run hasn't been quite as stellar as 2016's "The Accountant," it's bound to be a hit on the streamer now that subscribers can check out all the heart-pounding thrills for no extra fee. After an old acquaintance is murdered, Wolff — a CPA who leads a double life cooking books for criminal organizations — must team up with his estranged mercenary brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) to uncover a deadly conspiracy. Their only lead is a cryptic message left behind: "Find the accountant." As the brothers work with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) to crack the case, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless network of killers hellbent on making sure certain secrets stay buried. Watch it now on Prime Video 2025 has been a great year for horror films, but director Steven Soderbergh's "Presence" has proven to be one of the most divisive. It flips the traditional haunted house story on its head, shot from the perspective of the ghostly entity making things go bump in the night. The creative framing makes for a slower pace that focuses more on building tension and family drama than scares, but it's surprisingly impactful. "Presence" follows the Payne family — mom Rebekah (Lucy Liu), dad Chris (Chris Sullivan), and their teenage son (Eddy Maday) and daughter (Callina Liang) — who move into their dream house in the suburbs. While they appear to be the perfect nuclear family on paper, it's not long before cracks start becoming clear. When nightmarish events start unfolding, the parents must protect their children from forces beyond their understanding. Watch it now on Hulu If you like your horror with a healthy dose of humor, "The Blackening" is the perfect pick. This clever slasher-comedy follows a group of Black friends who head to a remote cabin to celebrate Juneteenth. While exploring the cabin's game room, they stumble upon a board game called "The Blackening," which features a racist caricature mascot on the cover and pieces that correlate to each member of the group. To their horror, they find themselves locked in while a "Saw"-esque broadcast explains that they must compete in "The Blackening," a trivia-based game on Black culture, if they want to survive. To make it through the night, they'll have to rely on their wits along with their deep knowledge of horror movie clichés. "The Blackening" is hilariously self-aware, poking fun at classic genre tropes while still delivering suspense and surprises. It feels like a cross between "Scary Movie" and "Get Out," offering up as many laughs as it does scares. Watch it now on Peacock
The Review Geek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Straw (2025) Movie Review
Hitting breaking point Tyler Perry is back, and this time the auteur has turned his hand to a pressure-cooker thriller in the form of Straw. This Netflix movie is simple in premise and execution, with a series of escalating incidents leading to a big misunderstanding, murder, and a stand-off at a bank. The film does include a 'twist' at the end, although unfortunately, it undermines the themes of the movie and feels designed more for shock value than as a well-thought-out surprise. The story here predominantly centers on a single mother named Janiyah. She works two jobs, is eking out a living, can barely afford to pay rent on her dingy apartment, and is close to breaking point. Unfortunately, today is going to be the worst day of her life. After dropping her daughter off at school, Janiyah finds herself in trouble with the police, fired from her job, and left on the street when she can't pay the overdue rent to her abrasive landlord. Intervening in the middle of a robbery, Janiyah shoots the robber and then turns the gun on her boss and pulls the trigger. Heading to a nearby bank with her bloodied cheque, her backpack (including her daughter's science project, which looks suspiciously like a bomb), and a handgun, a stand-off ensues as police close in on her. The story clearly takes inspiration from movies like Falling Down, while trying to channel the same uneasy tension seen in films like Phone Booth. The execution, though, is clunky, with heavy-handed messaging and one-dimensional characters that struggle to break free from Perry's archetypal shackles. The movie attempts to make us empathize with Janiyah's plight and while yes, we can obviously understand why she's snapped, she murders two people and holds hostages in a bank. It's a weird framing device, especially as law enforcement – and in particular the heavy-handed FBI – are framed as the bad guys in this situation. The story is a little overlong at times as a result of all this, which isn't helped by the frenetic opening to the film. In an attempt to bring you into Janiyah's world, the first 30 minutes are relentless. Expect quick cuts, full-on shouting, crazy antics, drama, and bloodshed. It almost borders on melodrama, but thankfully Straw never tips over the edge into farcical waters. I can't help but feel a more gradual build-up, slowly stacking these misery cards before an inciting incident (this robbery) turns everything upside down, could have helped – especially if the misunderstanding was played up a lot more. This is a particular problem because the middle act of the movie slows down considerably as we start to understand more about Janiyah's life. You see, Janiyah's daughter, Aria, suffers from seizures and has asthma. She also appears to be bullied at school (it's never outright said, but her teacher seems to hold a grudge against her) and is very much Janiyah's entire world. During this time, we also hear from some of the other hostages, who seem to understand why Janiyah is keeping them against their will and sympathize with her. It's here we're introduced to Detective Kay Raymond, who empathizes with Janiyah's plight and tries to talk her down during their negotiations. She's also a negotiations expert from her time in the army, but aside from a couple of lines of dialogue about her past, we don't see a whole lot else from her. This is a real shame, because Raymond, out of all the characters, feels like the one with the most untapped potential. The movie never seems all that interested in actually fleshing out the cast though, instead keeping the attention squarely on Janiyah and, to a lesser extent, Raymond. Beyond that, everyone else is pretty much a one-dimensional archetype. We have the loudmouth landlord who curses constantly, the rude, prejudiced white cops, and the older women who sympathize with Janiyah out of wisdom and lived experience. There's never much in the way of tension inside the bank either, which isn't helped by us already knowing that the item inside Janiyah's rucksack isn't a bomb. I can't help but feel that a rewrite to obscure this from the audience – so we're led to believe Janiyah may actually have a bomb – could have ratcheted up the tension. Production-wise, Straw is pretty good, and the camerawork is decent across the board. Taraji P. Henson puts on a really solid performance as the exasperated mum at the end of her tether, and she really carries the movie forward. However, when you compare Straw to other thrillers of its kind, there's really not a whole lot here to write home about. The movie has a decent enough message, but it's muddied by the moral implications around Janiyah's actions. While the intention is clear, the execution is sloppy – which is a shame, because there's definitely potential here. Read More: Straw Ending Explained
The Review Geek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Straw (2025) Ending Explained – Does Janiyah get her daughter back?
Straw Plot Summary The story here predominantly centers on a single mother named Janiyah. She works two jobs, is eking out a living, can barely afford to pay rent on her dingy apartment, and is close to breaking point. Unfortunately, today is going to be the worst day of her life. After dropping her daughter off at school, Janiyah finds herself in trouble with the police, fired from her job, and left on the street when she can't pay the overdue rent to her abrasive landlord. Intervening in the middle of a robbery, Janiyah shoots the robber and then turns the gun on her boss and pulls the trigger. Heading to a nearby bank with her bloodied cheque, her backpack (including her daughter's science project, which looks suspiciously like a bomb), and a handgun, a stand-off ensues as police close in on her. What's going on with Aria? We soon learn across the movie that Aria suffers from seizures and has asthma. She also appears to be bullied at school (it's never outright said, but her teacher seems to hold a grudge against her) and is very much Janiyah's entire world. It doesn't help that she was born premature and without health insurance, its constantly been an uphill battle for her as a single mother. Janiyah talks about her situation, and her speech is broadcast out across the nation. Everybody empathizes with her plight and even the landlord listens, although she's clearly behind on rent given the earlier eviction notices on the counter we saw earlier in the movie. What happens during negotiations? Raymond gets emotional during her negotiations with Janiyah, ignoring everyone and deciding to talk about her own situation. She empathizes with her as a single mother herself and hope it works out for her. Unfortunately, the FBI rock up outside just as groups carrying placards reading 'Free Janiyah' also arrive. The FBI are led by a man named Bryce, who attempts to strong-arm the situation and force Janiyah out the bank. Officer Sam is here and tells Raymond about the earlier incident on the road. Near the beginning of the film, Officers Sam and Oliver stopped Janiyah over an expired licence but Oliver also hit her on the road too. Oliver is the one responsible for taking Janiyah's car away. What's the twist? Raymond decides to approach the bank before Bryce and his men can force their way in and shows off the picture of Officer Oliver, a man who is going to be reprimanded for his part to play in this. All the hostages inside the bank are let go, while Nicole, the bank manager, decides to stay and wait with Janiyah. Janiyah's phone turns back on here and the FBI arrive with her mum. She rings and has awful news. Aria is dead. She had a seizure and died at the hospital the previous night. So the whole time Janiyah has been imagining Aria. The phone call at work was about overdue debts, the school were confused over her arriving, and working on the science project appears to be a coping mechanism. Janiyah finally realizes the truth, and she comes out with Nicole to face the police. She's bundled in the back of a police car and taken away, ready to face murder and hostage charges. What will happen to Janiyah? In the end, Janiyah winds up succumbing to her grief, with the twist at the end involving Aria clearly obscured from all of us and not used during negotiations for some reason. Given the police would have found out earlier about Aria's death, they could have used this as a negotiation tool and tried to get Janiyah out of the bank this way By the time the final credits roll, the disenfranchised are out in support of Janiyah but unfortunately it's unlikely to be a happy ending for our protagonist. She still killed two people, held hostages against their will and clearly needs psychiatric care. There's also video footage of all of this so no matter what way you slice it, she's going to be behind bars for a while. Unfortunately, this is a bad ending for a woman experiencing the worst day of her life. Read More: Straw Movie Review
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Straw review – Taraji P Henson rises above Tyler Perry's tortured Netflix thriller
Tyler Perry is not beating the allegations. For decades, the content-creating studio chief has been roundly criticized for making the traumatization of Black women a persistent theme in his work. In Straw, his latest exercise in misogynoir for Netflix, he pulls out all the stops to break the camel's back. The guinea pig for this cultural stress test is Janiyah (Taraji P Henson), an apex Perry caricature who is past the point of exhaustion. Her loud, hot and dumpy apartment isn't all that keeps her in perennial discomfort. There's also a precocious young daughter (Gabrielle E Jackson) with nagging medical issues, and that eviction notice on the dining table. She can't make ends meet despite working three jobs, and her cashier's position at the local food desert grocery store is especially thankless. When an angry customer spikes a bottle of fizzy drink at Janiyah's feet, her boss orders her to stand down from her busy checkout lane to clean up the mess. When Janiyah unwittingly cuts off an undercover cop in traffic after begging off the register to run a quick errand, he throws his ice coffee drink at her car and threatens to 'find a legal way to blow your brains out'. In the end, Janiyah is ticketed for driving on an expired license, her car is impounded and she's forced to find her way back to work on foot in the kind of surprise monsoon that Perry keeps in the forecast to further break down his female protagonists – and, verily, things do indeed get worse: Her irascible boss (Glynn Turman) fires her for deserting her post, her landlord empties the meager contents of her dumpy apartment onto the curb, and her kid is confiscated from school after the principal squeals to child protective services. At her wit's end, she treks back to the grocery store to urge her boss to release her last paycheck only for the both of them to wind up held up at gunpoint when a band of robbers charge into the back office to empty the store vault. There's a glimmer of hope when one of the robbers attacks Janiyah, and she fights him off and kills him with his own gun – but her boss is convinced she's in on the heist because the attacker 'knew her'. Turns out the guy only read her name tag, but the boss is already running with his story while on the phone with 911. When he threatens to take her down and twists the knife, Janiyah finally snaps and shoots him dead, too. It isn't much long after that we find Janiyah in the middle of a hostage situation at the bank when her attempt to cash that bloody last paycheck raises alarm bells. The balance of the film plays like the Tyler Perry version of John Q, down to the Luigi Mangione-coded public rallying cry – trading injury for Spike Lee's insult, perhaps. The third act is freighted with pointed digressions on the intractable racism in banking and healthcare systems, and the inescapable Perry twist at the film's core is its own commentary on the Black mental health crisis. As ever, Perry – who takes top billing once more as this film's writer, director and executive producer – engages with many ideas, but none that he seems to fully understand. That includes Black women, whom he does a tremendous disservice to once again. But the hatchet job may be lost on most viewers because Straw is one of the better films on Perry's grade curve. The pacing could be better for what is ostensibly a 105-minute thriller. The day-night transitions in particular are wild, and again the rain comes out of nowhere. But Straw doesn't meander as much as Perry's other productions. (Looking at you, Duplicity.) It's not soapy or camp either. There's melodrama, sure, but Straw makes you take it seriously – and a lot of it is a credit to the actors playing it straight and, possibly, getting a few extra takes to refine their performances (weird flex, I know). Sherri Shepherd, who's typically at her best going for laughs, shines as the sober bank manager who remains empathetic in crisis. Teyana Taylor was equally impressive as the detective hostage negotiator who advocates for Janiyah. (The only letdown in her performance was her wig, which is very much on-brand for Perry.) But yet again it's Henson who delivers the powerhouse performance while edging from distress to anger to winsome compassion. It's just a shame that after hiring her for four films now, Perry is still treating her like a speed bag. In one of the scenes outside the bank, as the standoff at the bank deepens, a protest movement foments and one Janiyah supporter holds up a sign that reads, 'Nevertheless she persisted', a much-memed feminist slogan. Sadly, the irony is probably lost on Perry – ultimately, a billionaire servant of the evangelical Christian patriarchy who is steadfastly committed to proving that the women of the world who make 'bad' choices deserve all the pain and punishment they can get and then some. This certainly won't be the last Straw. Straw is out now on Netflix
