Roofman Interview and Review

Roofman is the remarkable true story of real life criminal Jeffrey Manchester. I had a chance to chat with ROOFMAN Director Derek Cianfrance – watch below – about this new action comedy releasing in theaters October 10th 2025.

Synopsis: A charismatic criminal, while on the run from the police, hides in a toy store. There, he adopts a new identity and becomes involved with an employee, beginning a relationship as unlikely as it is risky. | 2h 6m | Rated R for language, nudity and brief sexuality

Channing Tatum stars as real life criminal Jeffrey Manchester. In the late 1990’s Manchester escaped from jail after being arrested for a string of McDonalds restaurants. He hid out in a local Toys-r-Us for months; slipping in and out unnoticed.

The story would be unbelievable if not true. The script was taken from several interviews and the real life Manchester. It is that grounding that makes the most eye rolling moments palpable. How in the world could this guy do this without being caught.. which he later was.

Keep in mind that social media and everything everywhere all at once was not rampant in the late 1900s. Small town stores had little to no surveillance and what they did have was easily over written. As bad a criminal as Jeff was he made up for in problem solving and attention to detail. Ex military, he was known for seeing things no one else did. This had a lot to do with his ability to hide in plain sight for so long.

Do we root for the criminal? Everyone will form their own opinions for sure. If you watch my interview with director Derek Cianfrance you understand that it is more an extending of grace than an absolution for the crimes. Those he interacted with were quick to say that they did not hold any ill will against Jeff. Tatum does a wonderful job of conveying that charm and charisma that people around him felt.

Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh Wainscott who worked at the Toys-r-Us and was dating Jeff during this time. She had no idea of his real identity or that he was living in the store. This is a man she invited into her life and family. Again, in real life interviews still does not blame Jeff for his deception. Here was a guy who was at the end of his rope and made some horrible decisions based on just wanting to provide for his family. Again, not an excuse but the movie does give us both sides and allows us to base our own opinions.

Though not funny to those he robbed, the film has lots of humor and funny moments. As we watch Jeff pass the time at night alone in the store, using items to build his secret lair, to messing with the store’s often overbearing manager (Peter Dinklage). Much of the content is light in nature.

There are also very heart touching moments. Leigh is very involved in her church and as such we see a lot of how the local pastor had an effect on Jeff. Much of the real life Pastor’s interview went into the molding of how we see Jeff. We are all one bad decision away from a destroyed life and we can meet others with judgement or grace.

The film feels a bit long and could have done with some editing. It is a fascinating story and the two leads do a good job of keeping the audience engaged. Stay through the end credits to see the original news footage and real life character interviews.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW

About The Author

Matt Mungle

See author's posts