Strung, a psychological thriller directed by Malcolm D. Lee, produced in part by Tyler Perry, and starring Chloe Bailey, premiered on Peacock on June 26, 2026. Since its release, the film has sparked conversation among viewers and fans on social media.
What Is the Movie Strung About?
Strung follows violinist Laila Calloway (Bailey) as she is scouted by an incredibly wealthy woman named Audra Jelani (Lynn Whitfield) to work as a full-time live-in music tutor for her granddaughter Zuri (Romy Woods). Although Laila is taken aback by the sudden offer at first, she accepts after seeing the family’s magnificent house, realizing they have connections to the music industry, and meeting Zuri, who reminds her of her deceased little sister.
Although this well-paid opportunity seems too good to be true, Laila is soon unsettled by the family and their staff’s odd behavior. She learns that Zuri is traumatized by witnessing the death of her father, a rapper named RGB. Her mom Imani (Anna Diop) and stepfather Marcus Walker (Lucien Laviscount), who are expecting a new child together, have marital issues that bleed into everyone’s lives, and Laila soon finds herself entangled in the family’s dark and twisted secrets.
How Is Strung Being Received by Audiences?
Strung is not being received too well by audiences, with an IMDb rating of 4.9/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 36%. Critics are generally praising Chloe Bailey’s compelling performance, but flaws in the movie’s script make it feel less horrifying and more comedic.
One reviewer on IMDb, @FelixM-1374, writes that Strung is “just the usual Tyler Perry family drama sugar coated as psychological thriller.” Another user, @jared-25331, specifies that “the execution of the story is awful and it feels so melodramatic for no reason. The characters are not interesting despite the cast trying their best.” However, another user, @yahcreates, argues that it’s simply “a slow burn thriller with twists and turns that accumulate” and that “the ending will be something you don’t see coming.”
What Other Movies Has Chloe Bailey Starred In?
Chloe Bailey stars as Sam, an aspiring singer-songwriter who competes in praise-team choir competitions, in the musical comedy Praise This (2023). She also portrays Izzy in the psychological thriller Jane (2022), where she is the best friend of Olivia, a student obsessed with gaining admission to Stanford University. She also voices Maxine, one of the main characters in Sneaks(2025)—an animated comedy about a pair of sneakers. She also plays supporting roles in Gospel Hill (2008), Last Holiday (2006), Joyful Noise (2012), and The Exorcism (2024).
Chloe Bailey is not to be confused with her sister Halle Bailey, who is best known for her starring role as Ariel in the live-action The Little Mermaid (2023) movie. Although they used to work together as a pop and R&B duo named Chloe x Halle, they now create songs and star in movies independently from each other.
Overall, Strung is a psychological thriller with a low to average rating, where Chloe Bailey’s performance shines in a script that is surprisingly comedic instead of horrifying. However, the final twenty minutes of the movie are successfully thrilling, with surprising twists and an ending shot that will have you doubting your own eyes.
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