Unraveling 'Straw': Did Aria Exist, or Was She a Figment of Trauma?

A recent online video by user Elara_Surfer has sparked discussion among film enthusiasts by proposing a compelling theory about the movie 'Straw.' The video suggests that the character Aria, believed to be the protagonist Janiyah's daughter, may have actually died at birth, and Janiyah has been living with the profound mental trauma of this loss for eight years, manifesting in a fantasy where Aria is alive. The analysis highlights several scenes from the film as evidence. One key observation points to Janiyah exiting the hospital holding a blanket in a manner more consistent with carrying a newborn, rather than an eight-year-old child. Furthermore, the video notes the principal's apparent confusion when Janiyah 'drops off' her daughter at school, implying the principal may not see a child. Additional details cited include the absence of an older child's body in the hospital and a lack of children's clothing or items related to an eight-year-old in Janiyah's home. The video concludes by suggesting that the mother's eventual statement about Aria's death provides the missing piece to understanding Janiyah's reality. This theory offers a darker, psychological interpretation of the film's narrative, inviting viewers to re-examine the movie with a new perspective.