Paramount Pictures will be releasing Derek Cianfrance‘s Roofman in UK cinemas on October 17, 2025. Prepare yourself for a true story so bizarre that it defies belief.
Synopsis:
Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a former Army Ranger and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname: Roofman. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.
Review
Roofman might be one of the most confusing movies to be released this year, and that’s such a big compliment. Why is it confusing? I hear you ask. Well, the story of Jeffrey Manchester is rather odd in itself, but they all center around fairly typical yet quite severe crimes. The reason this movie is quite baffling is because it completely blurs the boundaries between right and wrong, good and evil, that sort of thing. Not only is Manchester presented as an incredibly nice criminal- two words that don’t typically go together- but you find yourself rooting for him, hoping that it all works out despite knowing deep down that his luck is inevitably going to run out. To be on the run and to take cover in a Toys “R” Us while also helping the community… It’s impossible to hate and despise him, especially when it’s Channing Tatum.
The film’s biggest strength is that it fully leans into the insanity. Cianfrance has a lot of fun building the world around Manchester. There’s a charming playfulness that’ll have you beaming and laughing, whether it’s a naked Channing Tatum, or a desperate reach for a bag of M&Ms, there are so many wise-cracking and funny moments, but then there will be a sudden and abrupt switch. As if the lights of Toys “R” Us had gone out, the mood will completely flip on itself. At these moments, you’re reminded that we’re dealing with a very clever and methodical criminal who has the potential to be dangerous. The ice is breaking beneath his feet and he knows it. It’s a beautiful mix that is so perfectly balanced, it really creates this rollercoaster experience, and while the outcome is somewhat obvious, as is usually the case with true stories, it does not strip away any of the tension or fun that’s to be had.
A film like this, a gem really, couldn’t exist without its stellar cast, and everyone is absolutely fantastic. In terms of the smaller roles, Peter Dinklage is utterly hilarious and despicable as Mitch the General Manager of Toys “R” Us, and Ben Mendelsohn’s Ron Smith the Pastor is truly a gift from god. However, the stars of the show are of course Tatum as Manchester, and Kirsten Dunst as Leigh Wainscott. They complement eachother brilliantly, they bounce off of eachother so naturally and it all leads to an incredibly devastating finale that is executed wonderfully by both Tatum and Dunst. Their ability to convey a multitube of emotions with simply a look, rather than overbaked dialogue, fully sells this twisted love story. Their chemistry is so intoxicating that it’s impossible not to smile when they’re on screen together.
Roofman in its essence is a love story plagued by bad choices and regret. It doesn’t quite celebrate or glorify the crimes committed, but it certainly highlights that not all criminals are irrideemable or inherently evil. Combined with heart and a store’s worth of laughs, Roofman is a delightfully fun and tense ride that brings this outlandish true story to life.
Verdict
Roofman is a charming, witty and surprisingly fun story that cleverly taps into nostalgia while also providing a tense and hard-hitting experience. The film knows when to truly embrace the completely bizarre and often hilarious elements of Jeffrey Manchester story , but is also does not shy away from the severity of his crimes and the impact they had on the community and the people in his circle. Is it a feel good movie? Kind of. It’s an odd mixture, yet it works so very well. Regardless of what it is or how it works, Roofman is a blast that’ll have you laughing, anticipating, and contemplating just how possible it is to live in a Toys “R” Us- We certainly wouldn’t recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Written by Derek Cianfrance & Kirt Gunn And directed by Cianfrance, Roofman stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang and Peter Dinklage.
