Tyler Perry’s film “Straw,” released on Netflix on June 6, 2025, stars Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother confronting systemic struggles such as poverty, eviction, and the potential loss of her ill daughter.

The movie depicts a tense bank heist triggered by Janiyah’s desperation, exploring themes of race, poverty, and resilience, while cautioning against taking the law into one’s own hands.

From a Nigerian perspective, the film’s portrayal of single motherhood resonates with shared struggles of stigma and economic hardship, but the extreme acts of violence feel less plausible given Nigeria’s cultural and legal context.

In contrast, the film aligns more closely with systemic issues faced by Black women and single mothers in the U.S., though critics note the hostage crisis driven by hallucinations strains credibility. Overall, “Straw” poignantly highlights poverty’s cost but urges reflection over violent responses.