A Story of Grace Beneath the Rubble

Review: Roofman

Roofman (2025), based on a true story, stars Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst in a quietly gripping drama about crime, isolation, and unexpected grace. Directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines), the film follows Jeffrey Manchester, a former U.S. Army Reserve soldier whose unusual burglary method—entering McDonald’s restaurants through their roofs—earns him the nickname “Roofman.”

After escaping prison, Manchester hides inside a Toys “R” Us for months, creating a secret life above the shelves filled with bikes and dolls. The story might have become a dark comedy or stylized crime thriller, but Cianfrance chooses a more human approach, focusing on the person beneath the crime.

"Tatum plays Manchester with restrained depth. There’s no charm or bravado, just a man caught between guilt and survival."

The scenes inside the toy store, a symbol of innocence, become quietly poetic. Each night, as Manchester walks among the shelves, there is a mix of absurdity and sadness.

Summary

This film explores the complex humanity behind crime, using quiet moments of grace and isolation to reveal the struggles of a man seeking survival and redemption.

Uniting Church Australia — 2025-11-08