Roofman was the name given to serial burglar Jeffrey Manchester, a real life thief, who got in through the roof of each building, to steal the cash and leave. Always a McDonalds, and he stole from 45 in his ‘career’.
Portrayed by Channing Tatum (Blink Twice), Jeffrey is ex-military, but never really knew what to do after getting back to Civvy Street; and we can see that he doesn’t want to harm anyone who indirectly gets in the way during a theft, given how in one branch, he gives the manager, Duane (Tony Revolori – The Boy and the Heron), his coat as he bundles the staff into the freezer until the police turn up, even though he could’ve just used one of the many spares in the cloakroom.
Set in 2004 as the film begins, we see that Blockbuster Video is still around, CRT PC monitors are still in use, and Jeffrey’s wanted for armed robbery, even though he wasn’t armed in the first place. That said, his affluence doesn’t go unnoticed by friend and former soldier Steve (LaKeith Stanfield – The Book Of Clarence), as he has a big TV, but no money on show, with his friends want to know how he came across the cash.
Arrested at daughter’s 7th birthday, he’s sentenced to 45 years in jail based upon the trumped up charges, but breaks out after creating a false bottom in a delivery truck, not running too far, but managing to hide out in a Toys R Us for quite some time. Yes, they were also still around.
I’ll leave you to discover how Jeffrey manages to get out and about, getting involved in the church, where he meets Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst – Civil War), who he’s seen working at the store, but how to explain that he’s living there… or maybe he just keeps schtum?
Either way, the plan is to eventually reconvene with Steve, who’ll sort him out with all the necessary documents to escape abroad.
Whilst trying to avoid wanker store boss Mitch (Peter Dinklage – The Toxic Avenger), Jeffrey’s shown stealing videogames from the store and taking them to a Cash Converter-type place, but I’m quite sure the store wouldn’t have the games INSIDE. Most stores wouldn’t, and would instead keep everything out back.
As such, you’re constantly wondering when it’s all going to fall apart for him, or can he take Leigh and the kids abroad and away from it all?
Well, no spoilers, but with great performances all round, Roofman is a really well-told tale that keeps you guessing how things will turn out – as long as you don’t look up Mr Manchester online!
NOTE: There are no mid- or post-credit scenes, as such, but as the end credits play, they show the real Jeffrey Manchester, along with other people in his life, and it’s dedicated to the memory of Brian Manchester. I can’t actually find out what relation he is to Jeffrey.
Roofman is in cinemas now, and is available to pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 126 minutes
Release date: October 17th 2025
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Techniscope)
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Producers: Lynette Howell Taylor, Duncan Montgomery, Alex Orlovsky, Jamie Patricof, Dylan Sellers
Screenplay: Derek Cianfrance, Kirt Gunn
Music: Christopher Bear
Cast:
Jeffrey Manchester: Channing Tatum
Leigh Wainscott: Kirsten Dunst
Steve: LaKeith Stanfield
Mitch: Peter Dinklage
Pastor Ron: Ben Mendelsohn
Eileen: Uzo Aduba
Michelle: Juno Temple
Warren: Javier Molina
Otis: Emory Cohen
Talana: Melonie Diaz
Officer Scheimreif: Molly Price
Duane: Tony Revolori
Jade: Kirana Kuic
Joselyn: Gabriella Cila
Becky: Alissa Marie Pearson
Calliope: Esme McSherry
Kami: Kathryn Stamas
Lindsay: Lily Collias
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.