Channing Tatum charms in Roofman, the incredible true story of burglar Jeffrey Manchester, who was dubbed the “Roofman” by law enforcement for his larcenous modus operandi. Manchester committed dozens of robberies over a two-year period in North Carolina, but it was his escape from prison and clever concealment strategy that gave him his infamous reputation. Roofman portrays Manchester as a lovable nice guy who never wanted to hurt anyone; warm and fuzzy feelings abound with ample laughter and a sprinkling of tears, but there’s no denying the cold truth of Manchester’s criminal proclivities. You can’t be a serial robber, hold people at gunpoint and con your way into a family’s heart without facing serious consequences.
Roofman opens in 2004 with Jeffrey (Tatum), a former US Army reservist, having a birthday party for his young daughter Becky (Alissa Marie Pearson). She wants a bicycle, but the broke and unemployed Jeffrey can’t afford one. Talena (Melonie Diaz), his ex-wife with whom he also shares two infant sons, doesn’t want to hear any more excuses for Jeffrey’s financial failures. Steve (LaKeith Stanfield), Jeffrey’s best friend from the Army, also doesn’t console him; he praises Jeffrey’s abilities as a soldier, but confirms his current status as a pathetic loser.
A Larcenous Love Story
- Release Date
-
October 10, 2025
- Runtime
-
126 minutes
- Director
-
Derek Cianfrance
- Writers
-
Kirt Gunn, Derek Cianfrance
- Producers
-
Alex Orlovsky, Dylan Sellers, Duncan Montgomery, Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor
Jeffrey has a keen eye and a gift for strategy. And by observing Talena at work at a local McDonald’s, he solves his money problems by casing the store and figuring out when the most cash would be available. Those efforts pay off spectacularly, and authorities are confounded by this spree robber who always breaks in through the roof. But Jeffrey’s luck eventually runs out, and he is handed a hefty prison sentence. A few weeks in the prison workshop is more than enough time for him to concoct an ingenious escape plan, but there’s one problem: Where can he hide with his face plastered all over the news and every cop searching for him? Pure chance leads Jeffrey to a Toys “R” Us store with lax security and a manager, Mitch (Peter Dinklage), who has no clue he’s hosting an escaped convict.
Roofman gets chuckles aplenty with Jeffrey’s Toys “R” Us exploits. Scenes of Tatum making the store a secret man cave without ever revealing his presence are brilliantly done, leading to a second act where Jeffrey watches the employees and how they’re mistreated. Kirsten Dunst co-stars as Leigh Wainscott, a recently divorced single mother of two girls who chafes under Mitch’s bullying. She’s devoutly religious, and wants to give returned toys — which can’t be resold — to her church for underprivileged children. Jeffrey can’t help but insert himself into her life under false pretenses.
Toys “R” Us Living
Director/co-writer Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines) has a penchant for crime dramas and romance, so Roofman is definitely in the right hands. Jeffrey tells his own story through extensive voice-over narration, allowing the audience to hear his repeated mea culpas after each crime. Jeffrey didn’t mean to do wrong! Bad luck and poor circumstances forced him into burglary! He’s a good dude who just makes poor decisions! This tactic proves highly effective, as you end up rooting for Jeffrey as the Toys “R” Us becomes his supermarket, closet and piggy bank. There’s a gentle, and perhaps insidious, seduction that wins over the audience as Jeffrey’s likability grows with each offense.
It’s understandable why Leigh would fall for Jeffrey: He’s handsome, with a kind and giving personality. A great scene has Leigh accepting that she is indeed single, and should definitely snog the daylights out of this mysterious hottie. She’s especially smitten when Jeffrey takes a legitimate interest in her children’s happiness; Jeffrey didn’t want to abandon his kids, and finds solace in taking care of Leigh’s. Cianfrance again has the audience firmly in Jeffrey’s corner as he becomes a big part of her family’s life.
Tatum and Dunst have this wonderful chemistry that could have been taken from a Nicholas Sparks romance. There’s a palpable connection between two people in need of comfort finding each other. Both actors have had long and successful careers moving between genres. Roofman is the perfect vehicle to show their talent and range. But the rub is that Leigh’s actually being manipulated and conned. Jeffrey, despite his honest intentions and showering of love, is a scrupulous con man. He feels terrible about lying, but never comes clean.
A Sweet Romance
Cianfrance shoots Roofman with a grainy stock and somewhat muted color palette, and the effect is almost like watching a VHS tape on the big screen. This is an interesting style choice, one that’s usually used for older period films. Roofman takes place in the 21st century, but Cianfrance includes a scene where a Blockbuster Video is clearly visible in the background. To be clear, this isn’t a negative criticism of the cinematography; Roofman looks fine, it’s just a curious choice on the director’s part. Perhaps Cianfrance wanted the visuals to reflect the blurred nature of Jeffrey’s conscience?
Jeffrey’s ultimate fate is predictable from the start. The wait for Roofman’s characters to catch up to something that’s obvious to the audience can be tiresome, but it’s genuinely enjoyable watching Jeffrey’s machinations and a sweet coupling develop. That said, we’re seeing a side of the story that paints Jeffrey in a positive light despite his string of felonies. It’s a safe bet the police who spent months hunting him weren’t won over by his amiable-rogue image.
From Miramax and Paramount Pictures, Roofman will be released theatrically on October 10th.