If Straw Made You Cry, These 5 Nigerian Movies Will Wreck You Emotionally.
When Tyler Perry’s Straw dropped on Netflix, few expected the emotional gut-punch it would deliver. Starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah — a struggling single mother on the edge of mental collapse — the film walks us through poverty, grief, and desperation in a way that feels heartbreakingly familiar.
The twist? Her daughter had already died, and everything unraveling in the bank was a tragic result of trauma she couldn’t outrun.
If you cried watching Straw, you’re not alone. And if you’re emotionally ready to go down that road again, here are five Nigerian films that hit just as hard — emotionally raw, socially urgent, and powerfully told through the lens of ordinary people.
1. For Maria Ebun Pataki (2020)
Why you’ll cry: It’s a haunting portrayal of a woman experiencing postpartum depression.
There are no big dramatic scenes — just a heavy, silent struggle that mirrors the pain of being unseen and unheard.
Similar to Straw: Focuses on a woman’s mental health battle and emotional isolation.
Where to watch: Netflix.
2. Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) (2020)
Why you’ll cry: It tells the stories of two Nigerians whose dreams of a better life are crushed by poverty, loss, and bureaucratic failure.
Similar to Straw: Gritty realism. Quiet devastation.
A reminder that “trying your best” isn’t always enough in a broken system.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
3. The Milkmaid (2020)
Why you’ll cry: Set in Northern Nigeria, this powerful drama explores trauma, terrorism, and resilience through the eyes of a young woman abducted by insurgents.
Similar to Straw: It’s emotionally intense and rooted in a woman’s fight to reclaim her humanity.
Where to watch: Netflix (in some regions), film festivals.
4. Ije: The Journey (2010)
Why you’ll cry: A woman travels across continents to save her sister, who’s facing a murder charge. It’s about sisterhood, loyalty, and injustice in unfamiliar systems.
Similar to Straw: Themes of family, loss, and fighting for someone who’s already breaking inside.
Where to watch: YouTube or DVD platforms.
5. Oloture (2019)
Why you’ll cry: An undercover journalist enters the world of sex trafficking, only to be consumed by the darkness she was trying to expose.
Similar to Straw: It’s about a woman swallowed by a world that doesn’t care until it’s too late.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Final Thoughts
Straw reminds us that sometimes, the weight a person carries becomes too much to bear. These Nigerian films echo that same truth — that behind every “strong woman” is often a storm no one sees.
So if you’re in your feelings after watching Straw, these films will keep you there — with stories just as gut-wrenching, powerful, and unforgettable.
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