ROOFMAN (2025)

Genre: Drama/Crime
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang, Tony Revolori
Runtime: 2 hr 5 mins
Rating: M18 (Sexual Scene)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 23 October 2025

Synopsis: Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), an Army veteran 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.

Movie Review:

Derek Cianfrance has long been known for his intimate, character-driven dramas — no distracting CGI, no flashy tropes, just good old-fashioned storytelling. Films like Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines stand as proof of his gift for human emotion and authenticity. After a five-year hiatus, Cianfrance returns with Roofman, a surprisingly delightful romantic crime caper based on a true story.

Channing Tatum, eager to shed his Magic Mike image, plays Jeffrey Manchester, an ex-Army veteran arrested during his daughter’s birthday party for robbing 45 McDonald’s outlets in a desperate attempt to support his estranged family.

But Manchester’s story doesn’t end behind bars. He escapes from prison and finds an unlikely hiding place — inside a Toys “R” Us store. For weeks maybe months, he survives on M&Ms and baby food, showers in the store’s restroom and lives off the merchandise after hours. “It’s not the body, it’s the mind that keeps you alive,” he says at one point. He even begins a romantic relationship with Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced employee at the very same store.

At first, Roofman seems too absurd to be true until you realize Jeffrey Manchester actually existed and remains incarcerated in a North Carolina correctional institute until 2036. Cianfrance treats the story with a light, whimsical touch, balancing humor and heart so effectively that even the most outlandish moments feel oddly believable. Manchester’s elaborate disguise to Leigh as a supposed government agent living in a secret building is both clever and comical.

Manchester himself is portrayed as a man with a good heart perhaps the kindest thief you’ll ever meet. In one memorable scene, he gives his coat to a hostage locked in a freezer. Yet, the film never fully explores why he turned to crime in the first place. Was it desperation, an inability to adjust to civilian life, or simply a misguided attempt to provide for his child? Roofman hints at these motivations but leaves them open-ended, much like life itself.

Tatum, however, is a revelation. His character may be morally conflicted but Tatum’s warmth and sincerity make it hard not to root for him. Even when he deceives Leigh, his quiet vulnerability wins audiences over. Dunst, meanwhile, remains effortlessly magnetic — her chemistry with Tatum anchors the film’s emotional core. The supporting cast is equally strong: Peter Dinklage plays the mean Toys “R” Us manager Mitch; Ben Mendelsohn appears as a chatty pastor and LaKeith Stanfield lends depth as Manchester’s army buddy, Steve.

Despite being based on a true crime, Roofman blends romance and redemption into a feel-good, crowd-pleasing mix. Tatum finally proves himself as a capable dramatic actor without relying on his trademark physique (though, yes, there’s a brief nude scene that actually serves the story).

At its heart, Roofman is a wildly entertaining, heartfelt tale of survival, reinvention, and the absurd lengths people go to for love. It’s the kind of film that reminds you why Cianfrance remains one of the most humanistic filmmakers working today.

Movie Rating:

(A crime caper that’s both heartfelt and amusing — Roofman is one crazy, surprisingly touching ride)

Review by Linus Tee