Roofman

Roofman is a 2025 American crime film directed by Derek Cianfrance. It is based on the real-life spree robber Jeffrey Manchester, played by Channing Tatum, who hid out in a toy store after escaping from prison. The film also stars Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, and Peter Dinklage, with Ben Mendelsohn, Uzo Aduba, and Jimmy O. Yang appearing in supporting roles.
Roofman had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025 and was theatrically released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on October 10, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and grossed $34 million worldwide.

Plot

In 1998, Jeffrey Manchester is a divorced U.S. Army veteran living in North Carolina. Struggling to provide for his three young children, Jeffrey is reminded by Steve, his friend and fellow member of the 82nd Airborne Division, of his powerful skills of observation. Jeffrey uses his knack for noticing and exploiting routines to rob a McDonald's fast food restaurant, breaking in through the roof at night. Surprising the morning shift, Jeffrey orders the employees into the walk-in freezer but treats them kindly, even handing over his own coat to the manager to wear before escaping with the contents of the safe.
Over the next two years, Jeffrey uses the same strategy over 40 times, capturing the attention of the authorities and the media as the mysterious "Roofman". Arrested at his daughter's birthday party after attempting to flee, he is sentenced to 45 years in prison while his ex-wife Talana ends his contact with their children.
Using his ingenuity, he escapes prison. He conceals himself inside a Toys "R" Us store, subsisting on a lot of candy and observing the employees.
As a fugitive, he has limited options for living arrangements, but he begins a relationship with one of the unsuspecting employees, Leigh.
Stealing toys to donate to the toy drive Leigh has organized at her church, Jeffrey claims to be John, a visiting New Yorker. Missing his own children, Jeffrey makes an effort to bond with Leigh's daughters.
Desperate to forge a new life and identity, Jeffrey pays for a fake passport by robbing the store where he hides and where Leigh works. She recognizes him even though he planned to conduct the robbery while she was not there. Eventually he is caught, and an additional 32 years is added to his prison sentence.
During the credits, photographs of the real Jeffrey Manchester are shown, along with footage from local news reports in 2004 related to the case, and interviews with the real Leigh as well as others who interacted with Manchester.

Cast

Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester / "John Zorn", a former United States Army non-commissioned officer turned criminal
Kirsten Dunst as Leigh Wainscott, a Toys "R" Us employee, single mother and Jeffrey's love interest
LaKeith Stanfield as Steve, Jeff's friend and former sergeant, now running a fake ID operation
Juno Temple as Michelle, Steve's girlfriend
Peter Dinklage as Mitch, manager of the Toys "R" Us store
Ben Mendelsohn as Ron Smith, pastor of Leigh's church
Uzo Aduba as Eileen Smith, Ron's wife
Emory Cohen as Otis, a Toys "R" Us employee
Melonie Diaz as Talana, Jeff's ex-wife
Molly Price as Sergeant Katherine Scheimreif, a police officer leading the hunt for Jeffrey
Lily Collias as Lindsay Wainscott, Leigh's elder daughter
Kennedy Moyer as Dee Wainscott, Leigh's younger daughter
Alissa Marie Pearson as Becky, Jeffrey's daughter
Tony Revolori as Duane, manager of a McDonald's robbed by Jeffrey
Kathryn Stamas as Kami, one of the church goers who initially meets Manchester
Jimmy O. Yang as a used-car salesman
Punkie Johnson as a police officer

Several people involved in the real-life story of Jeffrey Manchester have cameos in the film. Charles Cummings, who drove the truck used by Manchester to escape from prison, appears as the same truck driver; Katherine Scheimreif, Manchester's arresting officer, appears as a retired police officer at a church singles event; Leigh Moore, née Wainscott, appears as a crossing guard; Ron Smith, Wainscott's pastor, appears as a pawn shop employee; and Chris Kimbell, a SWAT officer, appears as one of the police officers who discover Manchester's hiding place.

Production

The project was announced in February 2024 with Derek Cianfrance as director from a script he wrote with Kirt Gunn. The screenplay was based on an earlier script by David Stephens and Peter Petrucci. Dylan Sellers and Chris Parker produced through the Limelight production company alongside Jamie Patricof and Lynette Howell Taylor. Channing Tatum was to star. Ben Mendelsohn and Kirsten Dunst joined the cast in September 2024. In October 2024, Miramax acquired distribution rights to the project, with parent Paramount Pictures distributing on its behalf in the United States and United Kingdom with financing handled by Aperture Media Partners and FilmNation Entertainment handling international sales. Peter Dinklage, Uzo Aduba, Juno Temple, LaKeith Stanfield, Molly Price, Melonie Diaz, Lily Collias, Emory Cohen, and Tony Revolori joined the cast.
Principal photography began on October 24, 2024, in Gastonia, North Carolina. Filming wrapped on December 12, 2024. Cinematographer Andrij Parekh shot the film on 35mm, marking his second collaboration with Cianfrance. Some of the filming locations include Freedom Park, Mecklenburg County Jail North, and the Gaston County Courthouse. Jim Helton edited the film. Christopher Bear composed the score for the film.

Release

Roofman had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. It was released in the United States on October 10, 2025, moved from its original release date of October 3, 2025.

Reception

Box office

, Roofman has grossed $23 million in the United States and Canada and $11 million in other territories, for a total of $34 million worldwide.

Critical response

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.