Roofman (2025)

“Roofman” stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang, and Peter Dinklage.  Released on October 10, 2025, the film follows a fugitive who hides in the wall of a Toys “R” Us store.
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The film was directed by Derek Cianfrance, who also directed “Blue Valentine”, “The Place Beyond the Pines”, and “The Light Between Oceans”.  We all confront the challenge of redeeming ourselves from our troubling pasts.  We often worry that others might not give us a chance to become good individuals due to their perspectives on our actions, especially when we’ve done something that’s impossible to believe.  Many of us have come across some unbelievable stories that could’ve been pulled from fiction but are, in fact, true.  It’s those absurd tales that make our lives worth living.  This true story about an unusual fugitive is one of those tales.  Jeffrey Manchester is infamous for his unique method of breaking into locations by drilling through roofs, which earned him the nickname “Roofman”.  He even managed to hide within a Toys “R” Us store in Charlotte until his recapture in 2005.  I wish I were joking, but this actually happened.  Despite his surprisingly merciful demeanor, Jeffrey’s actions would go down in history as one of the most bizarre yet clever criminal endeavors ever, and now, there’s a movie inspired by these questionable decisions.  It goes to show that anything can become a film nowadays, even some of the outrageous events that appear on our news channels.  With that said, let’s see if this latest fact-based crime comedy is worth robbing.

The story follows the journey of Jeffrey Manchester (Tatum), a former officer in the United States Army Reserve, who gained notoriety for his rooftop robberies at various locations.  After being caught for stealing from multiple McDonald’s establishments, Jeffrey cleverly escapes from prison by concealing himself beneath a truck and hitchhiking to Charlotte.  Once there, he finds refuge behind the walls of a Toys “R” Us store, managing to stay unnoticed by the employees, including the store manager, Mitch (Dinklage).  During his six-month hideout, Jeffrey crafts a plan to start a new life, but everything changes when he meets and falls for the store’s employer and single mother, Leigh Wainscott (Dunst).  As he navigates the challenge of evading capture, Jeffrey faces a pivotal choice between leaving his life behind and seizing the opportunity to become a better person.

I can barely recall the first time I heard of the “Roofman” dilemma, which may be due to my limited news consumption.  That is, until I heard that they’re making a movie depicting Manchester’s criminal exploits last year.  It was hard for me to believe that a person like Manchester would enter through rooftops and treat a family-friendly toy store as his personal Airbnb.  Yet, considering the bizarre events happening daily, especially in today’s climate, I shouldn’t be too surprised by his antics.  Given the context of Manchester’s crime spree, it’s fitting that the film chose a comedic approach for the biopic genre, providing plenty of promise in its concept and cast through its trailers.  The question now is whether the execution can deliver the laughs and heart of its fact-based premise. 

To my surprise, I was able to discover the answer much sooner than I expected, thanks to this week’s mystery movie event.  Initially, I thought it would be “Kiss of the Spider Woman” since the runtimes were so close together, and most mystery movies tend to come from smaller indie studios like Vertical.  However, I was caught off guard when I realized it was actually “Roofman”.  That revelation was because the final two trailers were for films from Paramount, the same studio distributing “Roofman”.  I was both shocked and delighted that the mystery movie was one I was looking forward to more than “Spider Woman”…well, aside from the new “Tron” film.  After watching the movie, my initial feelings quickly transformed into satisfaction upon witnessing just how good and even heartfelt it turned out to be.  From the trailers, I knew that “Roofman” looks to be nothing more than a fun time at the movies, even with the flaws that affected some of the previous biopics.  Granted, “Roofman” does resemble another traditional biopic that’s occasionally revamped by Hollywood to appeal to modern audiences.  If that’s the case, then the film stands out as a successful example of this strategy.  With enough laughs, warmth, and star power, “Roofman” manages to steal the audience’s hearts for the better.

For those familiar with director Derek Cianfrance, the filmmaker is usually recognized for his work in dramas, and not the kinds that make you feel warm inside.  “Roofman” marks my first exposure to Cianfrance’s vision, yet I am aware that his previous films were not particularly light-hearted.  “Roofman” is perceived as an entirely different ballgame for the director due to its tone.  The film retains the romance and drama elements characteristic of Cianfrance’s signature style, but it also incorporates aspects of crime and comedy for him to juggle with.  This combination represents his inaugural attempt to deliver something more spirited, rather than making audiences feel like they've died on the inside, while preserving the emotional core and craftsmanship of his previous works.  As a newcomer to Cianfrance’s cinematic vision, I thought he did a splendid job with this approach.  The film featured some nifty shots courtesy of Andrij Parekh’s 35mm cinematography, with a steady pace that justified its over two-hour runtime.  However, it was Cianfrance’s adept handling of this multi-genre blend that sold it for me.  It’s neither overly sentimental to the point of being irritatingly mawkish nor excessively goofy that it comes off as a drawn-out SNL skit.  Cianfrance managed to find a just-right type of balance that not only showcased some genuinely fun humor but also its convincingly authentic heart, making me adore the friendly criminal.

In addition to directing, Cianfrance co-wrote the screenplay with Kirt Gunn, aiming to craft a narrative that highlights Manchester’s unusual exploits.  As mentioned earlier, “Roofman” encompasses the fundamental elements of any other biopic we’ve seen, ranging from its fact-based retellings to the Hollywood tropes used to enhance the drama.  It certainly wasn’t groundbreaking in its approach to this formula, but the screenplay was one instance where its tropes are tolerable and smart enough to evade capture and warrant its endearment.  Central to the story is Jeffrey Manchester, often labeled as a “dangerous” criminal by everyone, yet depicted as a generous individual prone to poor choices, with a unique way of strategizing his surroundings.  His striving to support his loved ones leads him down the wrong path, as his robberies put him on the wrong side of the law. However, the film captures Jeffrey’s struggle to gain redemption as he aspires to become a good person for real upon meeting Leigh and her daughters.  The script delivered a compelling exploration of redemption, enriched by amusing dialogue between the cast and an engaging portrayal of what it means to be a “good person”.  It can be a tad predictable in a couple of scenes, and the subplot involving one of the Toys “R” Us employees, Otis (Emory Cohen), feels unresolved.  Fortunately, Cianfrance and Gunn’s script found a near-perfect spark that caters to its familiarity while also invigorating it with entertainment, humanity, and a naked Channing Tatum.
     
Speaking of Tatum, the actor continues his successful cinematic journey with his portrayal of Manchester following his surprising appearance in the English dub version of “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” last month.  No, really, he was actually part of that dub’s cast.  It was definitely one of the most bizarre choices I’ve seen, though given the previous experiences with A-list celebrities in English dubs, notably for Studio Ghibli films, that’s not saying much.  Channing Tatum has been constantly proving to us that he’s got the acting chops for both comedy and drama, and occasionally some action, whether he’s playing someone in live-action or voicing an animated character.  His role in “Roofman” is unsurprisingly no different.  Tatum delivered another outstanding performance that highlights his charisma, humor, and heart, all of which are applied to a former soldier-turned-criminal who only “kills” with kindness.  Kirsten Dunst also delivered a commendable performance as Leigh Wainscott, and LaKeith Stanfield continued to expand his broader appeal with decent results regarding his role as Steve, Jeffrey’s army veteran friend.  I also thought Peter Dinklage provided some amusing moments in his role as Mitch, the general manager of Toys “R” Us, who is a massive pain in the butt.  Between the “Toxic Avenger” reboot and “Roofman,” it’s safe to say that Dinklage is having another good year for his career.

Overall, “Roofman” delivers a familiar yet highly entertaining and heartfelt series of terrible decisions that are worthy of stealing the audience’s hearts for the better.  Some of its predictable plot points fell short of standing out among the cinematic biopic crowd, and one specific subplot remained unresolved.  Fortunately, the film's execution of its compelling premise and smartly handled narrative tropes helped it evade capture long enough to provide a fact-based retelling that’s guilty of being fun and genuinely endearing.  Channing Tatum delivered another outstanding performance, supported by an impressive ensemble cast, while Derek Cianfrance successfully balanced the drama and romance elements with light-hearted humor through his direction and screenplay.  It may not break new ground in the biopic genre, but for those seeking laughter and smiles during the fall season, this film is definitely worth stealing.  Just make sure you patch up the roofs once you’re done.

B+