Saagar Kote
‘Straw’ follows a single mother named Janiyah Wiltkinson who becomes embroiled in a mistaken case of bank robbery while she desperately tries to provide money for her daughter’s healthcare and food. This Tyler Perry directorial raises serious questions about the morality of the police system, the lack of humanity in places of work, and the crisis of single motherhood in the US, while relating it all to the African-American experience. Starring Taraji P. Henson in the leading role, the emotional and often disturbing drama offers the viewers an uneasy yet cathartic viewing experience.
Alongside that, it also highlights the importance of mental health issues like anxiety. Starting from a humble setting of a dilapidated room, the narrative soon becomes a tense confrontation between Janiyah, the bank employees, and the police. It also offers commentary on sensitive issues like racial profiling. There is also a nod to popular perceptions of the system and the idea of being a victim of unfortunate situations. If you found the experience of watching this drama meaningful, these movies similar to ‘Straw’ will surely be of great interest to you.
12. Honest Thief (2020)
‘Honest Thief’ is a crime drama that follows Tom Dolan, a criminal who reaches out to the FBI to confess to many of his robberies in the past years so that he can live his life again without feeling guilty. However, the FBI agents have an agenda of their own. The Mark Williams directorial stars Liam Neeson as the protagonist. It involves elements such as double crossing, guilt, love, systemic corruption, and the risks of going against a skilled criminal. Set in a dark world of criminality, the narrative features impressive action sequences and a tightly written screenplay. Similar to ‘Straw’, it deals with issues like police negligence, high-handedness, and racial profiling by the system.
11. Takers (2010)
‘Takers’ follows the trials and tribulations of a group of bank robbers who are known to be experts in their craft. The group is dragged into one last heist by a recently released former colleague. However, the team soon finds themselves embroiled in a battle of tenacity as a detective and his partner are hot on their heels. This crime narrative stars Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, Clifford Joseph Harris Jr, Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, and Zoe Saldaña in important roles. Directed by John Luessenhop, the movie explores ideas such as crime, ambition, loyalty, and betrayal in a criminal gang. Like ‘Straw,’ it is set within the same genre and narrates the consequences of a crime and the complexities that it leads to.
10. The Town (2010)
Helmed by Ben Affleck, ‘The Town’ chronicles a bank robber in Boston who starts to have romantic feelings for a victim of one of his heists in the past, when Doug and his crew plan a final mission to get out of the crime world by robbing Fenway Park, his feelings stand in the way. Alongside Affleck, it includes powerful performances by Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper, and Slaine. The narrative highlights the cost of personal feelings in criminal missions and the complexities that they lead to. The film, akin to ‘Straw,’ features heists and also explores the human side of criminals. The focus here is on the criminal, and not the crime.
9. Ambulance (2022)
‘Ambulance’ is an epic thrill ride directed by Michael Bay. It follows two adoptive brothers who hijack an ambulance after a dangerous bank robbery while also taking a paramedic and an officer hostage. Containing adrenaline-pumping chase sequences and over-the-top elements, this is a highly entertaining addition to the action genre. The drama explores the unbreakable bond between the two brothers and the intelligence of the paramedic they take hostage. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González, whose performances add nuance to the already gripping narrative. Like ‘Straw’, it is set around characters who have been betrayed by the system, and find no other alternative than breaking it. The familial ties explored in the films connect them on a spiritual level, despite the obvious differences in narrative choices.
8. American Heist (2014)
‘American Heist’ is directed by Sarik Andreasyan, based on the 1959 film ‘The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery’ directed by Charles Guggenheim and John Stix. Frankie willingly goes to jail alone for a crime that he and his brother James committed together. After being released, Frankie makes a desperate attempt to take James back into the world of crime. It stars Hayden Christensen, Jordana Brewster, Adrien Brody, and Akon. The crux of the film lies in the sibling bond between Frankie and James, while also examining the darker side of such relationships in the criminal world. It is also a narrative on the difficulty of choice, loyalty, and survival, which is reflected in the narrative of ‘Straw’ throughout the runtime.
7. Inside Man (2006)
‘Inside Man’ is a Spike Lee directorial that follows an armed gang in a bank heist in the area of Manhattan whose main objective is to expose certain truths about the institution to common people. The crisis challenges Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington), the lead detective on the case. It stars Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, and Willem Dafoe, who deliver stellar performances. It is a commentary on the dark realities of the American financial system and the lengths people go to keep it a secret. Analogous to ‘Straw’, this popular crime drama focuses on the motivations behind bank robberies that go beyond the scope of monetary gains and contains a deeper message that enriches the viewing experience.
6. The Guilty (2021)
‘The Guilty’ is an Antoine Fuqua-directed crime thriller that happens on a day in the life of an emotionally disturbed LAPD officer who has been demoted to a position as a 911 emergency calls operator. While working on his shift, Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) receives a distress call from a woman who claims that her husband is holding her against her will in a van and that he is threatening to kill her. Due to the weight of the situation and his own psychological trauma, Joe goes all in to help the victim. Based on the Danish film of the same name, this drama features a stellar performance from the lead, unfolding in unpredictable ways, keeping the narrative tense and shrouded in mystery. Like ‘Straw’, it contains deep emotional issues centered around the protagonist, which is a core element of the plot, while also having situations involving the interference of law enforcement forces.
5. Breaking (2022)
‘Breaking’ is a thriller that revolves around the actions of a Marine Veteran named Brian Brown-Easley, who holds several people hostage in a bank, leading to a tense encounter with the police. Restrained by financial constraints and hopelessness driven by psychological trauma of being a Marine, the veteran sees a hostage situation as his only means to make ends meet. This Abi Damaris Corbin directorial is based on a true story featured in the 2018 Task & Purpose report, ‘They Didn’t Have to Kill Him’ by Aaron Gell.
The cast includes John Boyega, Nicole Beharie, Selenis Leyva, Connie Britton, Jeffrey Donovan, and Michael Kenneth Williams, who deliver commendable performances. Just like ‘Straw’, the film focuses on the human condition and the psychological factors that cause individuals to end up in dangerous situations. The PTSD experienced by Brian is a central factor in this narrative, much like Janiyah’s grief and lack of emotional support are in ‘Straw.’
4. John Q. (2002)
‘John Q’ directed by Nick Cassavetes, follows John Q Archibald, who resides with his wife, Denise, and his son Michael. Michael needs an emergency heart transplant at any cost that John cannot afford, so he takes it upon himself to do anything he can to get his son the care he needs. This drama has a stellar cast including Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anne Heche, Kimberly Elise, and Ray Liotta who turn in incredibly nuanced performances. To achieve his goal, the protagonist takes a hospital emergency room hostage to ensure his son is safe. This thriller, much like ‘Straw’, has parent-child relationships at its emotional core. While ‘John Q’ deals with a desperate father, ‘Straw’ deals with a desperate mother.
3. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
‘Dog Day Afternoon’ is based on a Life magazine article, ‘The Boys in the Bank’ by P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore. This popular heist thriller follows Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and Salvatore Naturile (John Cazale) as they try to execute a heist at the First Brooklyn Savings Bank. However, not everything goes as planned. This Sidney Lumet directorial is considered one of the classics in the heist genre as it examines the various facets of the crime, while also looking at the human side of it. It also includes one of Al Pacino’s more memorable performances. As the police try to quell the situation, the two robbers must navigate their way through differences in their approaches and hope to survive. This film contains narrative elements also seen in ‘Straw’ as it is based on a robbery and features similar premises for the lead characters. Although the motivations of the characters differ, there are common themes of poverty and desperation that connect them.
2. Money Monster (2016)
‘Money Monster’ is set in the intertwining world of television and finance. The film centers around the hijacking of a financial television show hosted by Lee Gates (George Clooney) by an individual named Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell) who, disguised as a deliveryman, storms into the set of the show, takes Lee hostage, and forces him to wear a jacket laden with explosives. Kyle reveals that he had invested his life savings in the stocks of a company called IBIS based on Lee’s financial advice in a previous show. However, this decision has cost him dearly as the company’s stocks come crashing down due to a supposed algorithmic glitch that has cost many citizens in tragic ways. All Lee wants is an answer. This crime thriller, directed by Jodie Foster, is a great companion piece to ‘Straw’ as it connects in terms of people turning to crime when no other options remain. Both films contain a tragic tone throughout their runtimes.
1. Hell or High Water (2016)
‘Hell or High Water’ centers around two brothers named Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and Tanner Howard (Ben Foster) who live a life of desperation. They resort to committing several bank robberies to save their family ranch from ruin. They are hunted by two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham), who won’t stop until they have apprehended the siblings. This David Mackenzie directorial is a haunting tale of brotherly love, crime, and deception.
This thriller, which begins as a simple heist, soon descends into a gritty and exhilarating tale of cat and mouse between highly motivated individuals who are convinced that their means are justified to achieve the ends they seek. The ideas in this film closely resemble those in Straw, as both are based around bank robberies and depict individuals in desperate situations surrounded by law enforcement agents.
Read More: Straw, Ending Explained
