Directed by Derek Cianfrance, Roofman tells the story of Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), an Army veteran who is struggling to pay the bills. Recently divorced, Manchester wants desperately to support his three kids but can’t hold down a job. With nothing left, he turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by carving a section out of the roof to get inside, earning him the nickname ‘Roofman’. After he gets caught, he escapes from prison and is forced to hide away in a Toys ‘R’ Us so he can survive undetected.
Frankly, this is a story that seems almost unbelievable. After all, a film about a convict escaping prison, hiding in a Toys R Us and falling in love with the local church lady is the stuff of the old school Hollywood romcom. And, frankly, it’s that lighthearted charm that makes Roofman feel so delightfully heartwarming.
Even so, Manchester’s story is more complicated than it first appears. Though the packaging of the film may be light and breezy, Cianfrance allows reminds us of what’s at stake. While he may appear to be having a blast by hiding out in a Toys R Us, Tatum never lets us forget the shame that burdens his character. (In fact, the irony of a man living in a toy store who cannot afford to buy his daughter the things she wants most is not lost here.)
And yet, he’s also fascinating in that he truly wants to be a good man. Many of his criminal acts are marred by a sense of compassion. The same man who commits endless robberies is the same man who also tries to keep his victims safe from harm. But neither is Manchester entirely a man of sunshine and lollipops. Although his intentions seem good, this Roofmancauses moments when things get… real.
Generally, though, Roofman tackles this inner conflict with a light touch. Built around the romcom structure, Roofman is one of those films that feels accessible to anyone. It’s funny, earnest and fueled by charisma. Yet, despite its charm, Roofman also knows that life isn’t a fairytale.
Roofman premiered at TIFF ’25. For more information, click here.
