Roofman

TIFF REVIEW: BY DARREN ZAKUS

October 5, 2025

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

Roofman features Channing Tatum at his best with an earnest, reflective and vulnerable performance that makes this story about second chances and starting over an absolute crowd pleaser bursting with compassion, laughter and romance.

Derek Cianfrance is best known for writing grittier independent films like Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, so he’s not naturally the first filmmaker that comes to mind to tell the true story of an escaped convict who evaded authorities by hiding in a Toys R Us store for months. But even with this being a major studio biopic starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, Cianfrance never loses his narrative touch and weaves a compelling story of a man trying to restart his life with an undeniable charm and emotional honesty that captures the gravity of Jeffrey Manchester’s story. When paired with an incredible performance from Tatum in the lead role and his phenomenal romantic chemistry with Dunst, Roofman quickly becomes an endearing drama that never for a second fails to entertain, resulting in one of the best surprises of the fall movie season.

Some stories are too wild to believe, and that is exactly the case with the story of fugitive Jeffrey Manchester in Roofman. Escaping from prison and remaining at large for months while living in a Toys R Us store at the same time as crafting a new life and identity, there is an unbelievable quality to Jeffrey’s story that makes it perfect to be turned into a movie. While it is easy to get distracted by the fun of living in a Toys R Us, with Jeffrey raiding the shelves and treating the store like his personal playground making for easy scenes to depict to entertain viewers, Cianfrance keeps the focus of Roofman as a character drama, and it is all the more rewarding of a viewing experience because of it. Focusing on Jeffrey as an individual as he tries to start his life anew, finding his community at the local church, falling in love with Dunst’s Leigh, and taking on the father figure role for Leigh’s two daughters, the story is all about second chances.

In the film’s middle act, there is an ease and pure delight to the story that unfolds on screen due to the romantic moments, laughter and joy that Jeffrey experiences with his new life with Leigh and her daughters, but it is never all sunshine and rainbows as the consequences of Jeffrey’s actions are always looming over the film. With this careful writing of Cianfrance and his co-writer Kirt Gunn, when Jeffrey’s past catches up with him it sets the stakes incredibly high in the final act as Jeffrey is faced with the decision of giving up everything he has created in the past few months, knowing that it will not only break his heart but that of Leigh and her daughters, to remain a free man. What ensues is an emotionally charged final act that will emotionally distraught viewers with a gripping intensity and reckoning that is raw and gritty, showcasing Cianfrance’s storytelling stylings that he has shown in previous films, ensuring that while Roofman has the feel of a larger studio film, it is undeniably Cianfrance’s vision from start to finish.

The stranger than fiction nature of Jeffrey’s story is going to be what draws audiences into theatres to see Roofman, but they will leave raving about Tatum’s performance. To put it frankly, Tatum has never been better than he is as Jeffrey, bringing his signature charm to the role as well as a retrospective meditation on Jeffrey’s past as he builds a new life. With quite fragility, Tatum captures Jeffrey’s draw to not only restart his life but help those around him to give himself a purpose while on the run. We have previously seen Tatum with more vulnerable performances before, but as Jeffrey, there is a depth that is unlike anything Tatum has ever found before in a performance, delivering what is without question the best performance of his career to date. His romantic chemistry with Dunst is all encompassing, finding a real connection that is mature, authentic, and caring, which only sets the audience up for heartbreak when Jeffrey’s past catches up with him.

Matching Tatum’s performance at every turn is the equally impressive supporting cast. Dunst is wonderful as Leigh, the single mother that Jeffrey falls for, anchoring the emotional core of the film with her compassion, strength and practicality. As incredible as Tatum is, Dunst’s performance is equally as responsible for making Roofman the crowd pleaser it is, as the two of them create this beautiful relationship that gives the film its beating heart. Ben Mendelsohn and Uzo Aduba are delightful as Ron and Eileen, the pastor and his wife of the church that Leigh attend, who introduce Jeffrey to Leigh, bringing a warmth and compassion to the film and Jeffrey’s life that helps to turn Jeffrey’s mind to the potential of a new life while avoiding authorities. Peter Dinklage is great as Mitch, the manager of the Toys R Us, bringing that nastier side of his acting abilities to the role that creates good drama within the store and gives Jeffrey the insight into the struggles of all the store’s employees, and while LaKeith Stanfield is a strong actor, has such little screen time as Steve that his performance is largely forgotten as he does not have the standout moments that the rest of the cast does. Continuing her spitfire comedic routine is Juno Temple, despite having a small role, generates some big laughs as Steve’s new girlfriend Michelle as she and Steve try to help Jeffrey to create his new identity that ensures she is not forgotten.

With an undeniable humanity at the centre of this man on the run while trying to restart his life when life presents him with an opportunity he did not previously have, Roofman becomes a deeply moving film. Even with the laughter and danger inherent in Jeffrey Manchester’s story, director and co-writer Derek Cianfrance dig deeper than the surface and develop a beautiful story of second chances, love and family that turns this stranger than fiction true story into a true crowd pleaser. Championed by a career best performance from Channing Tatum and a terrific turn from Kirsten Dunst, Roofman is a Derek Cianfrance film to its core with its excellent character writing and exploration of its themes, conjuring up an unforgettable experience that is going to touch the hearts of all who watch it.