5 LESSONS TO LEARN FROM STRAW

Straw is Tyler Perry's latest hit that has got everyone talking, just like acrimony. Now this one is a psychological thriller with many twists and turns. Even the end was a cliffhanger, that really raises the big question, was Janiyah a criminal or a victim?

In the quiet yet piercing drama STRAW, we are invited to witness the unraveling of a seemingly ordinary life—thread by thread. A film with minimal noise but maximum weight, STRAW delivers its message not with explosions, but with moments that whisper truths too often ignored. It’s a reminder that the smallest things like the proverbial straw can be the breaking point or the beginning of something entirely new.

Here are 5 powerful lessons to learn from STRAW:

1. Silence is Not Always Peace

STRAW paints a haunting picture of how silence, when rooted in avoidance, can become a prison. The protagonist’s quiet suffering hidden behind smiles, routine, and resilience shows how easily we mistake stillness for stability.

Lesson: Speak up. Even the calmest waters can hide the most violent storms beneath. Mental and emotional health demand expression, not suppression.

2. The Little Things Matter More Than We Think

In the film, it's not a dramatic event that causes the unraveling, but a buildup of small, neglected moments. A forgotten word. A missed look. A neglected wound. These fragments accumulate until the last straw breaks the camel’s back.

Lesson: Tend to the “small stuff.” Relationships, personal growth, and healing all thrive in the details. Ignoring the tiny cracks invites a bigger collapse.

3. Everyone Carries an Invisible Load

One of the film’s most compelling messages is its subtle reminder that we all bear unseen burdens. The main character, who seems composed to outsiders, is in quiet crisis mode—proving that you never truly know what someone else is going through.

Lesson: Practice compassion. Be slower to judge, and quicker to listen. A kind word may be the relief someone needs from their internal storm.

4. Breaking Down is Not the End—It’s an Opening

When everything finally falls apart, it’s not just tragedy—it’s truth. The character’s breakdown becomes a raw, painful, but necessary unveiling. The facade is gone, and with it, the chance for real healing emerges.

Lesson: Don’t fear the fall. Sometimes breakdowns are breakthroughs in disguise. They’re painful, yes—but also cleansing.

5. Change Often Comes When You Have Nothing Left to Lose

The transformation in STRAW doesn’t come until the protagonist hits rock bottom. Only when stripped of all illusions and coping mechanisms does a shift begin. It's a reminder that rebirth often begins in ruins.

Lesson: Embrace your endings. When everything falls apart, that’s when everything real begins to build. Let go to grow.

STRAW may be a quiet film, but it speaks volumes. It forces us to confront the hidden parts of ourselves, and the fragility of the human condition. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever been one straw away from breaking—and anyone who’s ever rebuilt themselves from the rubble.

So, take a deep breath. Watch with an open heart. And remember—sometimes, the last straw is also the first spark.

Which lesson was most profound to you? Spell it out in the comment section.