Roofman Movie Review

Released: 10th October 2025 (UK and US)

Length: 126 Minutes

Certificate: 15

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Starring: Channing tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple and Peter Dinklage

At a time where many productions are pushing for the biggest budgets and most profitable returns, Roofman stands out from the pack, a small-scale release that anyone can enjoy.

Loosely based on the life of Jeffery Manchester (played in the film by Channing Tatum), a former soldier struggles to provide for his family and turns to crime. The Roofman commits a series of robberies to treat his wife and children to a better life. He drills through the top of small-town businesses to access the cash within, but avoids harming others in the process. Following an arrest and a crafty escape from prison, Jeffery hides out in Charlotte at the local Toys R Us store, venturing out from time to time and connecting with the local community. When he forms a relationship with store colleague Leigh (Kirsten Dunst) and her kids, Manchester is torn between his newfound love and escaping from the law. It’s a story of a thief with a heart of gold that uses great pacing and a straightforward setup. Once Jeffery settles in the store and figures out how to evade the cameras, we hunker down with him, fully invested in his engagements. The more he gains, the higher the tension gets and the film uses this structure to create a very natural flow. As the protagonist gets closer to the other characters, his push to escape America using fake documents progresses in the background. Through the use of calendars, we always know how much time has passed while never leaving Jeffery’s perspective. The narrative also features some simple but effective humour that never becomes too overbearing.

Channing Tatum does some brilliant work here; even with all the illicit deeds you feel for his character, the love he has for his family and the lengths he goes to make them happy. The decision between what he has built and the prospect of being caught are always conveyed. Beyond Tatum’s strong narration, all the dramatic elements are very earnest and are backed up by some brilliant chemistry between the actors. Jeffery and Leigh immediately hit it off with Tatum and Kirst really selling their bond. There are several heart-warming moments where the protagonist connects with the young Lindsay (Lilly Collias) and Dee (Kennedy Moyer), adding to their development over time. Even smaller performances from Ben Mendelsohn and Peter Dinklage are very well-done; the former has a warm presence as the head of Leigh’s church and the latter is given many humorous moments as Jeffery spies on him from his hiding spot. It all feels very personable and down-to-earth; when things do heat up in the final act, the result feels earned and highly conclusive.

This same approach also extends to the presentation. The camerawork is very precise, only making use of long shots to present the main store and surrounding areas. We’re always focused on the characters, the tools they use and their connections. A lot of this is enhanced by the setting; the year 2004 strips back any distractions or unnecessary elements, allowing the cast to take centre stage. We also get a range of iconography in and around the area; the toys Jeffery smuggles, the video games he pawns off for profit and the basic flip phones are all right in tune with the action. Being set in a toy store means the film is much more colourful than you’d expect, a seamless complement to the more natural outdoor look. The soundtrack features some big hits from the time with some tracks used for the goofier scenes.

Roofman is easily one of the best films of the year and I urge you not to miss it. It serves up a standalone story with great pacing, likeable characters and a setting that takes you back to a simpler time. It’s a rare production in modern cinema that puts the basics first, making it a must-watch for those who want more than a basic blockbuster.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)