The relentless hum of the Atlanta morning was a discordant symphony to Janiyah Wiltkinson’s ears. Each blare of a horn, each slamming door, felt like another chip at the dam holding back her despair. We find Janiyah, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson, racing against the clock, a whirlwind of hurried movements as she juggles her low paying job at a dead end store. Her best friend, Nicole, played by Sherri Shepherd, offers a brief respite with a shared laugh over a steaming cup of coffee, a moment of genuine connection in a world that seems determined to break Janiyah. Little does Nicole know, Janiyah is balancing on a precipice. Meanwhile, across town, Detective Kay Raymond (Teyana Taylor) stares intently at crime scene photos, her brow furrowed. Chief Wilson, Rockmond Dunbar, pressures her for a lead, but Detective Raymond, is a few steps away from connecting the dots between a string of desperate events and one single mother named Janiyah, unaware that the pressures of life are pushing her ever closer to an act that will change everything. Even Benny, played by Sinbad, a neighborhood fixture, can sense Janiyah is about to snap, but what can he do?
STRAW Movie Overview
| Title | STRAW |
|---|---|
| Release Status | Released |
| Release Date | 2025-06-05 |
| Runtime | 1 hours and 45 minutes |
| Genre | Thriller, Drama |
| 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
Janiyah Wiltkinson, a resilient single mother portrayed by Taraji P. Henson, tirelessly juggles two minimum-wage jobs to provide for her bright young daughter, Aria. Living paycheck to paycheck in Atlanta, Janiyah faces an unrelenting series of setbacks: eviction notices, mounting medical bills for her ailing mother Richard, and the constant threat of losing custody of Aria due to her unstable living situation. Her only solace is Nicole, her supportive best friend who understands her struggles all too well. When Janiyah’s car, her lifeline to work and Aria’s school, breaks down irreparably, she pleads with her unyielding boss Benny for an advance, only to be met with callous indifference. Spiraling into despair, Janiyah makes a desperate decision during a moment of intense frustration at the bank, leading to a robbery gone wrong. Detective Kay Raymond, a sharp and empathetic investigator, is assigned to the case and quickly deduces that Janiyah’s act wasn’t driven by greed but by desperation. As Kay delves deeper into Janiyah’s life, uncovering the impossible circumstances she faced, she begins to question the lines between justice and compassion. Chief Wilson, overseeing the case, demands a swift resolution, pressuring Kay to bring Janiyah to justice. The film culminates in a tense standoff, forcing Kay to make a choice that will determine not only Janiyah’s fate but also her own moral compass, questioning how far one should go when pushed beyond their breaking point.
STRAW Movie Details
In the gripping thriller-drama “STRAW,” directed by Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson delivers a powerful performance as Janiyah Wiltkinson, a resilient single mother struggling to make ends meet in a world that seems determined to break her. Set against the backdrop of urban America, the film plunges into Janiyah’s increasingly desperate life, where a series of unfortunate events converge on a single, devastatingly bad day. Overwhelmed by financial burdens, childcare challenges, and systemic injustices, Janiyah reaches her breaking point, leading her to commit a shocking act of desperation that reverberates throughout her community. As Detective Kay Raymond, played by Teyana Taylor, begins to investigate the crime, the layers of Janiyah’s struggles are peeled back, revealing the complex web of circumstances that drove her to the edge. Adding to the emotional complexity is Sherri Shepherd as Nicole, Janiyah’s supportive yet strained friend, who grapples with the moral implications of her friend’s actions. Sinbad embodies Benny, a sympathetic figure who offers Janiyah solace, while Rockmond Dunbar portrays Chief Wilson, who is trying to bring everyone to justice. “STRAW” explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the limits of human endurance, raising poignant questions about society’s responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members. The movie is a raw and unflinching portrayal of a woman pushed to her limit, forcing viewers to confront the harsh realities faced by many marginalized communities.
STRAW Movie Poster Images
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Official Trailer
STRAW Movie FAQs
What is the movie STRAW about?
STRAW is a thriller and drama film about a hardworking single mother who reaches her breaking point after a devastatingly bad day, leading her to an act of desperation.
Who are the main actors in STRAW?
The main actors in STRAW include Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor.
What genres does STRAW fall under?
STRAW is categorized as a thriller and drama film.
Who directed STRAW?
Tyler Perry directed 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.
What production company is behind STRAW?
Tyler Perry Studios produced STRAW.
What is the IMDb ID for STRAW?
The IMDb ID for STRAW is tt32550101.
Where can I watch STRAW?
STRAW is available on Netflix.
What is the tagline for STRAW?
The tagline for STRAW is This is her last.
