Tyler Perry’s Straw on Netflix: From Bottled Water Outrage to a Gritty Social Thriller

In 2019, Tyler Perry made headlines for an Instagram post that humorously called out the absurdity of hotel bottled water prices. He shared a photo of two Fiji water bottles priced at $9 each, writing, “What the hell this water do, cure cancer?” The post quickly went viral, resonating with thousands who have questioned hotel markups for everyday items.

Now in 2025, Perry returns to the spotlight with his new Netflix original film, Straw—a tense social thriller that explores how a single bad day can push someone to their limits. The story follows Janiyah Wiltkinson, played by Taraji P. Henson, a grocery store employee who faces a cascade of personal crises in one day: eviction, job loss, and a medical emergency involving her child. When she attempts to cash her paycheck at a local bank and is denied, desperation leads to a dramatic hostage situation.

The film features strong performances from Sherri Shepherd as a level-headed bank manager and Teyana Taylor as a negotiator trying to resolve the standoff peacefully. As the story unfolds, Straw examines the emotional weight of financial strain and the human cost of bureaucratic systems that often fail those in need.

While Perry is known for mixing drama with moral undertones, Straw takes a more grounded and intense approach, offering a thought-provoking look at how easily everyday people can be pushed to extreme actions.

Interestingly, Perry’s earlier frustration with overpriced bottled water now feels oddly prophetic. What once was a lighthearted complaint has come full circle into a film that highlights how even basic needs can feel out of reach.

Straw is now streaming on Netflix and serves as a timely reminder of how fragile stability can be—and how stories of struggle and survival can resonate far beyond headlines.

You can view Tyler Perry’s original Instagram post here: Tyler Perry on Instagram

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