5 Simple Edits That Could’ve Made Tyler Perry's 'STRAW' With Taraji P Henson A More Solid Movie (Spoilers Inside)

Believe it or not, Tyle Perry’s Straw—the buzz-worthy thriller starring Taraji P. Henson as single mom Alice Monroe—has captured hearts from LA to Lagos. Its gripping tale of a mother in crisis, caught in an unintended bank heist, has become the talk of the town. But while the film nails the emotional rhythm, a few smart tweaks could’ve taken it from great to unforgettable.

1. The Final Twist? Totally Unnecessary

As police surround the bank, Alice realizes her child actually died the day before, not inside the bank. That twist—while shocking—also weakens our sympathy. Instead of a mother fighting for survival, it paints her as unstable, deep into grief-fueled desperation. Remove or shift that revelation, and the movie remains a heartfelt journey of maternal courage without undermining her character. However, this movie is one that touches the hearts of single mothers and exposes people to the stress and suffering they endure. Revealing that her child had already passed away prior to all that she experienced whilst believing she was with her daughter shows this Alice’s experience was not single mother related, but instead, a case of mental instability, and would be seen that way when one watches it for the 2nd time.

2. Add a Showdown Fight/Wrestle in the Bank

The climactic bank hold-up feels dangerously close to flat when Alice waves the gun around like a lost soul, it was like watch a scene of nothing for 40 minutes straight. Imagine the tension if a brave teller or hostage tried to wrestle the weapon away. Most likely by Tessa George who was played by Ashley Versher. That moment could spark fear, hope—and maybe even catharsis. A brief, dynamic fight scene would’ve instantly turned the sequence into must-see drama and built up climatical tension.

3. Make the Manager Survive

Alice panics when the bank manager, Michael Trent (the man dialing 911), accuses her of the robbery—and shoots him dead. Powerful, yes—but too dark. What if she had wounded him instead? A survivor raises questions about revenge, responsibility, and forgiveness—turning the story into a psychological thriller, not just a cautionary tale. Being that she was a killed of a man, rude but nonetheless innocent and doing his job, is not the type of story that solicits black people crowding up behind police tape screaming out for her freedom. The idea that people would do that for a cold blooded murderer is questionable.

4. Save the “It Wasn’t a Bomb” Reveal for Last

When Alice finally admits the bomb in her bag was actually a harmless invention from her daughter, the admission could have played a better story. Save it for the arresting moment—imagine the FBI and hostages only discovering the truth after the tension peaks. That scene would land like a sucker punch, blending suspense with tragedy and dark humor and extraordinary relief.

5. Expose the Dirty Cop at the End

Alice fears a rogue cop—Officer Collins—will shoot her as she exits. A great slow-burn would be Lieutenant Tanya Taylor, the sympathetic negotiator, working to get Alice to walk out before the FBI rushes in. All whilst having her partner Detective Grimes working behind the scenes to root out the corrupt officer before her final walk out. Picture him rushing to drag Collins away right before he pulls the trigger—a pulse-pounding twist that would leave audiences gasping.

Don’t get us wrong—Straw is raw, emotional, and completely immersive. Taraji P. Henson shines as a mother on the edge. But these five strategic edits would’ve kept the film focused on a desperate mom’s trauma—not veering into “unstable assassin.” With a few small adjustments, Straw could’ve become a flawless tearjerker-thriller hybrid.

Still, it’s a journey worth the watch. And maybe, just maybe, a surprise ending worthy of a second viewing.