Netflix
Tyler Perry’s Straw- When Grief Breaks Reality
What happens when one difficult day becomes the tipping point of a life undone?
Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix film, Straw, takes that question and spins it into a gut-wrenching, emotionally charged narrative. Led by a raw, unforgettable performance from Taraji P. Henson, the film tells the story of Janiyah Wiltkinson — a single mother battling impossible odds as her world collapses in real time.

From its opening scenes, the film draws us into the hectic start of Janiyah’s day: caring for her seriously ill daughter, Aria; facing unpaid bills; and trying to manage the stress of work and motherhood. What begins as a relatable struggle soon builds into a crisis. Janiyah is wrongly accused of a crime, harassed by the police, fired from her job, and suddenly evicted. In a desperate moment at a grocery store, a confrontation turns deadly — the first of several tipping points that push her deeper into survival mode.

The tension heightens when Janiyah walks into a bank to cash her paycheck, unknowingly triggering a hostage situation after her daughter’s school project is mistaken for a bomb. It’s here that the film shifts into emotionally difficult territory. Sherri Shepherd is compelling as Nicole, the calm and compassionate bank manager who tries to defuse the chaos, while Teyana Taylor delivers a grounded and empathetic performance as Detective Kay Raymond, whose presence challenges the usual aggressive cop stereotype.
A livestream from a hostage quickly changes public perception, casting Janiyah as a victim of circumstance rather than a threat. The removal of a hostile officer and Detective Raymond’s personal intervention bring a moment of hope. The hostages are released, relief seems near.
Then, the film’s emotional twist lands. In a heartbreaking phone call, Janiyah’s mother reveals that Aria died the night before. Viewers are pulled into a deeper truth: Janiyah has been dissociating all day, lost in grief so profound it has distorted her reality. The school drop-off, the robbery, the bank — every moment was filtered through her psychological breakdown. Perry doesn’t just deliver a plot twist; he exposes a devastating truth about trauma, mental health, and loss.

Straw is more than a psychological drama. It’s a raw portrait of how overwhelming grief can break the mind — and how invisible burdens often remain unnoticed until they erupt. Taraji P. Henson commands every scene with emotional depth and vulnerability, making Janiyah’s breakdown feel heartbreakingly real. Her performance is magnetic and gives the film its emotional weight.
Nigerian viewers on X (formerly Twitter) have shared passionate reviews:
– “Watching “STRAW”. It shows how fragile our minds can be and also how hard it is in accepting the reality of some situations. Life can happen so fast that it feels like the world is crumbling down on us. It can be hard out there, please don’t make it harder anymore for people.” @acekingtma
– “Straw 11/10….. I cried so yahhh definitely 11/10…Taraji did her job best.” @gloriarumbi
At 108 minutes, Straw is a tight, emotionally intense film that refuses to let go. Perry takes a bold step away from his usual tone to explore mental illness, institutional failure, and maternal pain — and he does so with unexpected clarity and force.
Now streaming on Netflix, Straw is a haunting reminder that sometimes, the most devastating stories aren’t about villains — but about what grief can make us become.
Readers can watch the Movie Here.
Netflix
New Nigerian Movies to Watch on Netflix
Finding a Nigerian film to watch on Netflix can mean choosing between a family caught in conflict, friends planning a risky robbery or a kingdom facing a supernatural threat. Titles such as Oversabi Aunty, Behind the Scenes, Son of the Soil, Gingerrr and King of Thieves 2 offer different stories, with familiar Nollywood faces bringing their characters to life. Each film has its own central conflict, giving viewers several options depending on the kind of story they want to follow.
Oversabi Aunty
Directed by and starring Toyin Abraham, Oversabi Aunty is a 2025 Nigerian comedy about an overzealous church usher whose attempts to correct other people’s behaviour cause problems within her family. Mike Ezuruonye and Enioluwa Adeoluwa also feature in the film. As her daughter’s wedding approaches, her constant interference in other people’s affairs leads to situations she struggles to control.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes is a Nigerian drama starring Funke Akindele, Scarlet Gomez and Tobi Bakre. It follows Ronke, a successful real estate entrepreneur whose generosity towards friends and family begins to affect her personal life as more people rely on her for financial and other forms of support.
Ronke’s sacrifices begin long before the events of the film. She gives up her own educational opportunities to help her sister, Adetutu, attend school, only for Adetutu to abandon her studies after becoming pregnant with twins. Ronke also supports her siblings’ needs and steps in to cover five months of unpaid salaries at a friend’s struggling business. These demands leave her with little room to attend to herself, despite the success she has built.
Son of the Soil
Son of the Soil is a 2025 Nigerian action thriller starring Razaaq Adoti, Patience Ozokwor and Iretiola Doyle. It follows a former soldier who returns to Lagos from the United States after being dishonourably discharged from military service. He returns to protect his sister from danger.
As he faces threats connected to crime and corruption, he relies on his military training to confront the people putting his family at risk. The story also explores the personal cost of confronting the criminal forces threatening his family.
Gingerrr
Released in 2025, Gingerrr is a Nigerian crime film that combines comedy with thriller elements. Its cast includes Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Bisola Aiyeola, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola and Odunlade Adekola. The story follows four old friends who team up to carry out a heist to secure money and change their financial situations.
Their plan becomes more complicated when the women discover that each has a hidden agenda. The secrets they have kept from one another threaten their alliance, adding betrayal to a heist already driven by desperation and a shared vendetta.
King of Thieves 2
King of Thieves 2 is a 2025 Yoruba-language fantasy drama starring Femi Adebayo, Yemi Solade and Gabriel Afolayan. The story centres on Agesinkole, a powerful spirit who returns to punish those who have broken their oaths. His arrival threatens the king’s authority and brings past acts of corruption and betrayal to the forefront.
King Adenitan refuses to swear the traditional oath to Agesinkole before taking the throne. With the support of corrupt chiefs, he suppresses the deity’s influence while they plunder the kingdom’s wealth and silence opposition.
Netflix
Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow Debuts on Netflix This September
Akinola Davies Jr.’s drama My Father’s Shadow will begin streaming on Netflix on September 21, 2026, following its cinema release and run at international film festivals.
Directed by Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother, Wale Davies, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers who spend an unexpected day with their estranged father in Lagos. Set during Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, the film follows the family as they move through the city while dealing with tensions within their relationship and the uncertainty around them. The story takes place over a single day and draws partly from the filmmakers’ own experiences.

Photo: Instagram/@akinoladaviesjr
British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù plays Folarin, the boys’ father, while Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo play his sons. The film was shot on 16mm by cinematographer Jermaine Edwards, with Lagos serving as both the setting and an important part of the story.
My Father’s Shadow premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, becoming the first Nigerian film selected for the festival’s Official Selection. It also received a Special Distinction at the Caméra d’Or, which recognises first features.

Photo: Instagram/@akinoladaviesjr
The film opened in Nigerian cinemas in September 2025 after its Cannes premiere, before continuing its festival and awards run internationally.
Netflix
Nigerian Movies and Series Worth Watching on Netflix Before June Ends.
If you’re looking to round off the month with quality Nigerian stories, Netflix offers a selection of films and series that span crime, history, fantasy and suspense. Featuring respected filmmakers and well-known actors, these productions have helped showcase Nollywood to audiences around the world. Here are five titles worth adding to your watchlist.
The Black Book (2023 Movie / Action Thriller)
Directed by Editi Effiong, “The Black Book” stars Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ade Laoye and Sam Dede, with supporting performances from Iretiola Doyle and Shaffy Bello. The story follows Paul Edima, a former hitman who has rebuilt his life as a deacon. His world is turned upside down after his son is falsely accused of kidnapping and killed by corrupt police officers. Determined to uncover the truth, Paul is forced to confront the people behind the crime while seeking justice for his family.
Jagun Jagun (2023 Movie / Historical Epic-Action)
Produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami, “Jagun Jagun” is a Yoruba-language epic featuring Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji and Bimbo Ademoye. Set in a fictional ancient kingdom, the film follows a gifted young warrior determined to avenge his father, whose rise brings him into conflict with a powerful warlord. The story combines themes of loyalty, ambition and revenge.
Blood Sisters (2022 Limited Series / Thriller)
Directed by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang, “Blood Sisters” became Netflix’s first Nigerian original series. The thriller stars Ini Dima-Okojie, Nancy Isime and Kate Henshaw, alongside Deyemi Okanlawon. The story centres on best friends Sarah and Kemi, whose lives change after Sarah’s fiancé disappears during their engagement celebration. As they try to clear their names, they uncover dangerous family secrets and hidden rivalries.
Aníkúlápó (2022 Movie / Fantasy Drama)
Directed and produced by Kunle Afolayan, “Aníkúlápó” stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye and Sola Sobowale. Set in the old Oyo Empire, the film follows Saro, a travelling cloth weaver whose forbidden relationship with a queen leads to his death. After a mystical bird restores him to life, he gains the power to bring the dead back to life, that dramatically changed his fate, while revealing the consequences of power and ambition.
Seven Doors (2024 Limited Series / Historical Drama)
Directed by Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo Salami and Adebayo Tijani, “Seven Doors” features Femi Adebayo, Chioma Chukwuka and Jide Kosoko. The historical drama follows Adedunjoye, whose life changes after he becomes king of his community. As he navigates ancient traditions, he is confronted by a prophecy requiring him to open seven doors in order to atone for his ancestors’ past, while balancing his personal beliefs with the responsibilities of the throne.
Whether you enjoy action, historical stories or suspense-filled dramas, these five Nigerian productions offer a variety of experiences for your next Netflix session before the month comes to an end.
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