Is Straw based on a real story? Inspiration behind the Netflix film, explored

The fresh Netflix film, Straw, was made available on the platform on 6th June, 2025.

Helmed by Tyler Perry, the film stars the Golden Globe-winning actor Taraji P. Henson as the protagonist, Janiyah Wiltkinson. The story recounts the events of a single day. The film follows the journey of a single mother, Janiyah, who is striving hard to find a way to protect her daughter, Aria, from her deteriorating health conditions.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

However, when she visits a bank to collect the money for the medical bills, the bank officials do not cooperate with her. Janiyah finds no other option than taking matters into her own hands, and a heist attempt on the bank follows.

But is the film based on a real story?

Well, the answer is no. It is not based on a true incident per se, as this is a completely fictionalized story. However, the story reflects real-life issues that are very prevalent in society.

Let us find out more about the inspiration behind the film, Straw.

What inspired Tyler Perry to make the Netflix film Straw?

Even though Straw is not based on a particular true story as such, it is based on the real-life systemic issues that people have been facing for years.

Helmer Tyler Perry has also penned the script of the film. It is derived from real-life scenarios with regard to economic inequalities which gravely impact members of marginalized communities. These systemic issues are largely prevalent in every institution, be it in healthcare or financial institutions such as banks.

The story is drawn from Perry's personal observations from watching several single mothers who face prejudice, injustice and lack of support from government bodies and the public systems. These issues are still prevalent today, as mothers are striving hard to fulfill the needs of their children single-handedly. They constantly strive to live a happy, healthy life in a society where compassion and fundamental human rights still seem to be a distant dream.

Keeping this in mind, Tyler Perry wrote the character of Janiyah. In the film, there are several other women characters who find a sense of relatability with the situation where the skewed system has pushed Janiyah to take a dire step.

In Straw, when the heist situation takes place in the bank, Janiyah, who is already experiencing lack of support from officials at the bank, does something drastic. Janiyah ends up taking the arms herself, after she shoots the robber.

Taraji P. Henson, being a single mother herself, could relate to the struggle of Janiyah on a personal level. She delivers a compelling, power-packed performance as Janiyah in Straw. The other actors in the cast include Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Rockmond Dunbad and Sinbad, among others.