The relentless hum of the city was a constant companion to Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother teetering on the edge.
Every dawn brought another battle, another struggle to keep her head above water. Her close friend, Nicole, offered what support she could, but even their shared laughter couldn’t mask the desperation creeping into Janiyah’s eyes. Across town, Detective Kay Raymond, a sharp and perceptive officer, stared at the city skyline, a sense of unease settling in her gut. A string of petty crimes escalated into something darker, something that spoke of desperation and pushed people to their limits. Benny, a local pawn shop owner, saw it all: the hunger in people’s eyes, the choices they made when pushed too far.
As Janiyah’s carefully constructed world crumbles around her – a missed rent payment, a sick child, a job lost – the weight becomes unbearable. Chief Wilson issues a city-wide mandate to crack down on petty crime after an uptick of criminal activity, not knowing the harsh pressure it would cause for people like Janiyah. The tension mounts, the air thick with anticipation, as Janiyah faces an impossible decision. Each setback is another straw, another burden on her already strained back, leading her closer to the breaking point, closer to an act that could shatter everything she holds dear..
STRAW Movie Overview
Title | STRAW |
---|---|
Release Status | Released |
Release Date | 2025-06-05 |
Runtime | 1 hours and 45 minutes |
Genre | Thriller, Drama, Crime |
Original Language | En |
Spoken Language | English |
Country | United States of America |
Production Co. | Tyler Perry Studios |
STRAW Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Taraji P. Henson | Janiyah Wiltkinson |
Sherri Shepherd | Nicole |
Teyana Taylor | Detective Kay Raymond |
Sinbad | Benny |
Rockmond Dunbar | Chief Wilson |
Ashley Versher | Tessa George |
Mike Merrill | Detective Grimes |
Glynn Turman | Richard |
Shalet Monique | Rayah Dunnam |
Diva Tyler | Isabella |
Fracaswell Hyman | Marvin |
Derek Phillips | Agent Bryce |
Tilky Jones | Officer Oliver |
Katrina Nelson | Officer Sam |
Anthony E. Williams | Officer Dickson |
Justin James Boykin | Dan |
Jâms Thomas | Officer Black |
Zac Zedalis | Louis Jones |
Niviere Fontane | Jones |
Gabrielle E Jackson | Aria |
Tarina Pouncy | Principal Matheson |
STRAW Movie Storyline
“STRAW” plunges into the life of Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P.
Henson), a resilient single mother struggling to make ends meet in Atlanta. Janiyah juggles two minimum-wage jobs while desperately trying to provide a stable life for her bright young daughter, Aria. The film opens with a series of escalating misfortunes – a car breakdown, a looming eviction notice, and mounting medical bills for her ailing father, Richard – pushing Janiyah to the brink. Her supportive best friend, Nicole, offers emotional support, but her own financial woes prevent her from providing any tangible help. Desperate and feeling abandoned by a system that seems designed to fail her, Janiyah makes a split-second decision during a particularly humiliating encounter with a predatory payday lender that sets off a chain of irreversible events.
Detective Kay Raymond (Teyana Taylor), a sharp and empathetic investigator, is assigned to the case, uncovering a complex web of systemic injustice and personal tragedy that led to Janiyah’s desperate act. As Detective Raymond delves deeper, she begins to question the black-and-white nature of the law, grappling with the moral ambiguities of Janiyah’s actions. Meanwhile, Benny, a kind-hearted pawn shop owner and Janiyah’s confidant, becomes entangled in the investigation, torn between his loyalty to Janiyah and his obligation to the truth. The film culminates in a tense courtroom drama where Janiyah’s fate hangs in the balance, forcing the community to confront the harsh realities of poverty, desperation, and the breaking points that push ordinary people to commit extraordinary acts. The ending leaves the audience pondering whether justice truly prevails and what it means to be pushed beyond one’s last straw..
STRAW Movie Details
In the gripping thriller *STRAW*, directed by Tyler Perry, Taraji P.
Henson delivers a powerful performance as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a hardworking single mother pushed to her absolute limit. Set against a backdrop of urban struggle and systemic pressures, the film follows Janiyah as she navigates a series of devastating setbacks in a single day, each event chipping away at her resilience. Financial burdens, childcare crises, and workplace injustices converge to create a perfect storm of despair, ultimately leading Janiyah to make a shocking decision born out of desperation. The film explores themes of economic hardship, the breaking point of human endurance, and the consequences of societal neglect.
As Janiyah teeters on the edge, *STRAW* introduces a compelling supporting cast that adds layers to the central narrative. Sherri Shepherd portrays Nicole, Janiyah’s confidante and fellow struggling parent, offering a glimpse into the shared experiences of women facing similar challenges. On the other side of the law, Teyana Taylor shines as Detective Kay Raymond, a determined investigator tasked with unraveling the mystery behind Janiyah’s actions, creating a tense dynamic between the two women. Glynn Turman appears as Richard, a figure from Janiyah’s past who resurfaces, adding another layer of complexity to her already burdened life. The presence of Rockmond Dunbar as Chief Wilson amplifies the urgency as the film pushes further into the moral gray areas. *STRAW* is a poignant exploration of a woman’s fight for survival, forcing audiences to confront the difficult questions about the limits of human capacity and the societal pressures that can drive an individual to extremes..
STRAW Movie Poster Images
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STRAW Movie Trailers
Official Trailer
STRAW Movie FAQs
What is the movie “STRAW” about?
“STRAW” follows a hardworking single mother who is pushed to her breaking point after a devastatingly bad day, leading her to a shocking act of desperation.
What genres does “STRAW” fall into?
“STRAW” is categorized as a Thriller, Drama, and Crime movie.
Who are the main actors in “STRAW”?
The main actors in “STRAW” include Taraji P Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor and Sinbad.
Who directed “STRAW”?
Tyler Perry directed the movie “STRAW”.
When was “STRAW” released?
“STRAW” was released on June 5, 2025.
What is the runtime of “STRAW”?
The runtime of “STRAW” is 105 minutes.
Which production company is behind “STRAW”?
Tyler Perry Studios produced “STRAW”.
What is the tagline for “STRAW”?
The tagline for “STRAW” is This is her last.
Where can I watch “STRAW”?
“STRAW” is available on Netflix.
Is “STRAW” rated for mature audiences?
No, “STRAW” is not rated for mature audiences, the movie is marked as not adult.