Roofman (Theatrical)

While I don’t think we’ll ever get the level we once had, I appreciate seeing more mid-budget films as of late. Case in point: Roofman, the latest film with a strong performance from Channing Tatum in the lead, made more interesting in that it is a fact-based film. While I am certain that some liberties were taken, the closing credits remind us just how accurate the film really is. Derek Cianfrance made quite the impression with both Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, and he continues to impress here. While this film doesn’t quite reach the highs of the previous two films, taken on its own terms it has a lot to offer. I remained involved in the story and especially how it would all turn out.

Set in 2004, we meet Jeffrey (Channing Tatum) who has military experience, but not a further purpose in his life. The film offers a narration throughout, and we can see that Jeffrey, while lost in life, is still likeable. We see a break in at a McDonald’s which earns him the film’s very title of “Roof Man”. He is caught and sent to prison, but as we learn, he studies the daily routines of the guards and little details that he manages an escape. He eventually decides to take shelter in a Toys “R” Us which is run by Mitch (Peter Dinklage) who treats his employees rather badly. He eventually develops a liking for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst) who is an employee of the store where Jeffrey stays. He donates some toys one day to the church that she attends, and before long the two meet and develop a relationship. Jeffrey does a good job at pretending to be someone he’s not as he informs everyone, he meets that he is on a military assignment and can’t disclose much. And we see that he must return to the toy store at certain times. This became an interesting element to the film as we see how he can manipulate the security cameras and even alter the schedule to give Leigh the proper days off since Mitch refuses to. This is great stuff, really.

There is quite a lot to like here. I enjoyed the early moments which have a bit of tension, there’s humor and I also appreciated the ins and outs of the life of a crook. In some ways I was reminded of the Robert Redford character from the film The Old Man & the Gun largely in the way of what is a kindhearted man who chooses a life of crime. There’s also an unpredictability here that was refreshing. I deliberately avoided reading too much into the story behind the film to remain fresh in my viewing. Even with prior knowledge, I don’t see it lessening the film’s impact. I enjoyed the film and cared about the characters and the outcome. If I had one nit to pick it’s that it runs just a bit long during the last half. Still, it’s one of the better films of 2025, and a reminder that you don’t need a massive budget to sell a film if you have a good cast and story to carry it.

Roofman was a pleasant surprise. It has humor, suspense and heart all in the right places. The film features great performances, a fascinating story and keeps us with it. Highly recommended.