Movie Review – Roofman

Let’s get one thing out of the way here, this film was superb.
You ever have that moment when you know exactly how things will end, yet you still move forward hoping you’re wrong? You tell yourself it won’t be as bad as you expect, but deep down, you know. And when it plays out exactly as you feared, you’re disappointed—not in the outcome, but in yourself for believing, even for a second, that it might go differently. Everything feels right, yet it’s all wrong. Then reality sets in and you shrug: “Yeah, I knew that was coming. Time to move on.” That’s Roofman in a nutshell—a film where you can’t help but root for the bad guy, even though you know better. You root for him because beneath his chaos, he’s good at heart. He just happens to be terrible at life choices.

Channing Tatum stars as Jeffrey Manchester, a loving father desperate to win back his family’s affection, but going about it in all the wrong ways. He’s not evil—just painfully misguided. Throughout the film, you’ll find yourself shaking your head thinking, “Really, dude?” He’s the king of bad decisions, right up until the bitter end. And spoiler alert—love doesn’t always conquer all. That’s the sad truth here. Still, Tatum gives a grounded, heartfelt performance with a solid script and an excellent supporting cast to back him up.

Every character matters. Each one adds something authentic and memorable to the story. The ensemble feels natural—comfortable to watch. And Channing? He delivers one of his best performances. You can’t help but root for this lying, charming criminal because he’s that likable. His warmth and sincerity make you forget who he is on paper, and by the time the credits roll, you’ll realize you were cheering for the bad guy the entire time. Judging by the audience reactions at the screening, I wasn’t alone.

Kristen Dunst brings quiet strength to her role as Leigh Wainscott, a single mom, devout churchgoer, and choir singer who works at Toys “R” Us. You feel her struggle raising two daughters on her own. And even when her choices seem questionable—especially that first date—you understand her. Dunst brings a raw, relatable emotion that carries through every stage of her relationship with Jeffrey. Her performance makes you understand, even agree, with her decisions. Leigh is the kind of woman every man wishes he had in his life—kind, loyal, and endlessly patient.

The supporting cast shines just as bright. Peter Dinklage nails his role as Mitch, the overbearing Toys “R” Us manager we’ve all known in some form—the boss who drains the joy from your workday. He’s believable, frustrating, and perfectly cast.

Then there’s LaKeith Stanfield as Steve, Jeffrey’s best friend and the real scene-stealer. A quiet criminal who wants no attention and no trouble—his every moment on screen is magnetic. When Steve appears, you don’t move. You don’t grab popcorn. You just watch. Stanfield brings a presence so captivating it elevates every scene he’s in.

Leigh’s daughters, played by Lily Collias (Lindsay) and Alissa Marie Pearson (Becky), also deliver. Lindsay, the older daughter, impresses with her subtle yet strong screen time—each scene feels meaningful. Becky, the younger, has fewer moments, but she fits her role perfectly, adding a touch of innocence to the story’s heavier themes.

All said, Roofman stands out as one of 2025’s best films. It’s layered, emotional, and uncomfortably human. You’ll experience happiness, frustration, anger, sadness—every emotion in the book. It’s the kind of film you’ll want to revisit with your family, even knowing exactly how it ends. Roofman is a winner—and so am I for watching it.

Movie Review – Roofman

-Jay Katz