Los Angeles, California – Tyler Perry’s latest film, Straw, has surged to the number one spot on Netflix’s “Top 10 Movies in the U.S. Today,” marking another milestone for the prolific filmmaker.
The drama, which explores a woman’s breaking point amid job loss and desperation, has not only struck a chord with audiences, but also drawn praise for the emotional depth delivered by lead actress Taraji P. Henson.
Perry took to social media on Saturday, thanking fans for their overwhelming support.
“All I can say is I’m humbled. This brings me to my knees in gratitude!! Thank you all so much. I thank God for you,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a screenshot showing Straw holding the top spot.
The film’s lead, Taraji P. Henson, echoed the sentiment in a deeply personal Instagram post, revealing the demanding nature of the shoot. She filmed her scenes for Straw over a four-day span while also working on the set of another project, Fight Night.
“Y’all I am soooo grateful!!!! God is so good,” Henson wrote. “I worked Thurs–Sunday on Straw and on Monday was back on the set of Fight Night… My friend @tylerperry continues to challenge me.”
She shared a similar memory from their past collaboration on Acrimony, when Perry approached her with a tight filming schedule.
“He said, ‘If anybody can do this, Taraji, it’s you.’ I believed him and trusted my instrument.”
That trust paid off again. In Straw, Henson plays a woman facing housing insecurity and personal crisis, navigating a twist of grief, survival, and maternal instinct. The performance has been praised as one of her most raw and gripping roles in recent years.
The film also stars Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, and features veteran comedian Sinbad in a moving return to the screen.
As Straw continues to hold strong on Netflix, it’s not just the film’s content but its creation story, rooted in faith, commitment, and creative risk, that’s earning it attention. For both Perry and Henson, the project stands as a testament to endurance and purpose in storytelling.
