Roofman (2025) – Channing Tatum Breaks Into Crime, Comedy & Heart in Derek Cianfrance’s New Biopic

Some stories are so unbelievable, they have to be true. Roofman — directed by Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine) — dives into the stranger-than-fiction tale of Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger who became infamous for robbing McDonald’s restaurants by sneaking in through their roofs. But the most bizarre part of his story? After a prison escape, he secretly lived in a Toys “R” Us for six months.

Starring Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester and Kirsten Dunst as his unexpected love interest, Roofman is set to release in U.S. theaters on October 10, 2025, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6.

🏚️ The True Story Behind the Legend

Jeffrey Manchester wasn’t your typical criminal. A decorated Army Reserve officer turned desperate father, he turned to robbing McDonald’s franchises — carefully cutting holes in their roofs to enter unnoticed, earning him the moniker “Roofman.”

But his legend grew after his prison escape, when he went underground — literally. Hiding inside the walls of a Toys “R” Us, he lived undetected for months, scavenging toys, food, and supplies while planning his next heist.

In the film, his secret double life collides with unexpected romance when he meets Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom and Toys “R” Us employee who finds herself drawn to him. What begins as a charming connection soon spirals into a cat-and-mouse thriller as his lies and past crimes close in.

“I just wanted to provide for my family. I never thought I’d be living in the walls of a toy store.” – Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum)

⭐ The Cast

• Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester (Roofman)

• Kirsten Dunst as Leigh Wainscott, a single mom and unexpected love interest

• Ben Mendelsohn as Ron Smith, a pastor caught in the chaos

• Peter Dinklage as Mitch, the sharp-eyed Toys “R” Us manager

• LaKeith Stanfield as Steve, Manchester’s army buddy

• Uzo Aduba, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Jimmy O. Yang, Lily Collias, Reg Wilson and more round out the ensemble

The chemistry between Tatum and Dunst looks set to be the emotional anchor of the film, balancing suspense with surprising tenderness.

🎥 Tone & Direction – A Crime Comedy with Heart

Director Derek Cianfrance has a gift for exploring flawed men making impossible choices (The Place Beyond the Pines). With Roofman, he balances crime drama, dark comedy, and tender romance, showing Jeffrey Manchester not just as a criminal, but as a conflicted man searching for connection.

The recreated Toys “R” Us set — built entirely for the film — plays almost like a character itself: a surreal, colorful prison where dreams and nightmares blur.

📅 Release & Runtime

• Premiere: September 6, 2025 (Toronto International Film Festival)

• Theatrical Release (US): October 10, 2025

• Distributor: Paramount Pictures & Miramax

• Runtime: 126 minutes

🔑 Why Roofman Stands Out

• Based on a real-life heist legend stranger than fiction.

• Channing Tatum’s most complex role since Foxcatcher.

• A genre-bending mix of crime thriller, comedy, and romance.

• A surreal, nostalgic setting — an entire Toys “R” Us — that makes the story unforgettable.

🎬 Final Verdict

Roofman (2025) isn’t just another crime biopic — it’s a tale of desperation, reinvention, and the absurdity of trying to outrun your past. With Derek Cianfrance’s raw storytelling, Channing Tatum’s layered performance, and Kirsten Dunst’s grounded charm, this could be one of the most talked-about films of the fall.

📦 “Sometimes, the walls you build to hide in… become the walls that trap you.”

Catch Roofman in theaters on October 10, 2025 — and see how one man’s unbelievable double life became movie history.