The Stream: You’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The Big Screen: A fascinating story holds your attention and tugs on your heartstrings.

The Final Bill: An engaging crime drama based on a true story.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Writers: Derek Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn
Stars: Channing Tatum, LaKeith Stanfield, Peter Dinklage, Kirsten Dunst, Uzo Aduba, Ben Mendelsohn, Juno Temple
Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography, Romance
Rating: R for language, nudity and brief sexuality
Runtime: 2 hours
Production Companies: Hunting Lane Films, Limelight, 51 Entertainment, High Frequency Entertainment, Paramount Pictures
Platform: In theaters October 10, 2025
Notable Trailers: Wuthering Heights, Is This Thing On?, Anaconda, The Running Man

Hey, Streamers and all you Toys’R’Us kids out there! I finally caught up with the movie about the man who lived the dream of every Toys’R’Us kid, Roofman. Based on a true story, Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, a divorced Army veteran, who has struggled to find his place in the world after his military career ended until he uses his skills of observation to rob multiple McDonald’s franchises by cutting holes in their roofs. Thus, Manchester is dubbed “Roofman” by the media. When his scheme comes crashing down upon him, through a series of events, Manchester hides out in a local Toys’R’Us. Breaking and entering hijinks ensue.

Roofman takes the stranger than fiction real-life occurrences of Jeffrey Manchester’s criminal activities and turns them into an engaging and surprisingly emotional movie. The story is worthy of the big screen treatment because it is truly unbelievable. If you don’t already know the story, then it would be good not to know any more than the basics before seeing the movie. Obviously, I assume the writer-director, Derek Cianfrance, took some dramatic liberties telling the story, but it doesn’t seem too outlandish. There’s something very grounded about the way the story is told, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Unfortunately, it also always keeps you waiting for the other shoe to drop, which is inherent in these “based on a true story” crime movies. In fact, this movie, while never boring, probably could be tighter. Nevertheless, Cianfrance does a good job getting the audience emotionally invested in the story and Manchester as a character. I’ll also note that Channing Tatum does a great job showing vulnerability and charm in this character although the reasons why Manchester does what he does are unclear. This is one of Tatum’s best roles. Kirsten Dunst is also very good as a love interest for Manchester. In fact, Tatum and Dunst make certain scenes in this movie really elevated as they draw on the human connection both of their characters desperately need.

Ultimately, Roofman is a funny and engaging crime drama. It does a good job of making this outlandish true story seem grounded and emotional. Tatum and Dunst have good chemistry and make the movie add up to more than just a retelling of true events. You’ll be on the edge of your seat watching this one even though you know the other shoe must drop. Grab a big box of popcorn and catch this one if you can.