Fans of Netflix have been urged to watch the thriller Straw following its recent addition to the streaming service.
Written, directed and produced by Alex Cross star Tyler Perry, the film stars Taraji P. Henson as a single mother who becomes embroiled in a sequence of terrible and violent events as she struggles to care for her ill daughter.
The film also stars Jingle All the Way actor and comedian Sinbad, and Precious actress Sherri Shepherd.
Released on the streaming service on June 6, the film has already picked up traction among viewers, swiftly moving up the charts to become the platform’s most streamed movie in the UK this weekend.
Emerging to strong word of mouth from audiences, it has already been described as one of the director’s best films to date (admittedly, this mixed-bag of a catalogue does include his Madea and Mrs. Brown’s Boys crossover).
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Viewers were particularly vocal about its ‘heartbreaking’ ending – which featured a twist to the tale which will ensure Straw won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
After watching, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on what they had just witnessed.
‘Straw is such a humbling movie. The rawness was so real and the plot twist was crazy,’ wrote she_mego on X.
‘What a walk through emotions @tylerperry’s STRAW. The plot twist at the end wallowed me up. A good watch indeed!’ exclaimed sandra_buma.
‘After watching Straw, I no longer know how my heart is feeling. When what gave you purpose is suddenly gone. It speaks to a pain that’s hard to name. Raw, emotional, and deeply human. Kudos to the writer… truly outdone🖤’ said david_harris_r.
‘Tyler Perrys STRAW absolutely incredible i literally cried blown away!’ said MelisaWhiskey.
From its reviews, critics heaped praise upon star Taraji, with Screen Rant describing her performance as ‘an acting masterclass.’
‘Straw has a cultural pulse-taking urgency that lifts it above [Tyler Perry’s] usual run of comedies and melodramatic potboilers, flawed as it is,’ wrote Dennis Harvey of Variety.
Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly described the film’s emotions as ‘so raw and the performances are so earnest that you’ve really got to have a heart of stone not to care for these people.’
Award-winning Taraji – nominated Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at 2008’s Oscars – previously starred in hit movies The Color Purple and Hidden Figures.
Her performance in the film comes two years after she spoke out on the issue of inequality in pay for Hollywood’s women of colour.
‘I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,’ she told Gayle King on SiriusXM Radio.
‘I’m tired of hearing my sisters saying the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, “You work a lot.” I have to – the math ain’t mathing.
‘And when you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. The fact that we’re up here, there’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.
‘When you hear people saying, “Oh, such and such made $10million.” That didn’t make it to their account. Know that off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Do the math.
‘Now we have $5million – your team is getting 30% off of what you gross, not after what Uncle Sam took. Now do the math.’
As the interview went viral, fans and peers in the acting community shared messages of support.
‘Not a damn lie told. Not. A. Damn. Lie. We go TO BAT for the next generation and hell even our own generation and above,’ wrote Gabrielle Union in response.
‘We don’t hesitate to be the change that we all need to see AND it takes a toll on your mind, health, soul, and career if we’re keepn it [100]. [Love] u @tarajiphenson. [sic]’
‘We feel you, @tarajiphenson and we love you. It’s a fight we ALL are waging,’ agreed Community star Yvette Nicole Brown.
‘For ourselves and for the ones coming up after us. This mess sucks!’
Straw is now streaming on Netflix.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.