Film Review: The Man Above It All: Why Roofman Hits Harder Than You Expect

The Man Above It All: Why Roofman Hits
Harder Than You Expect

Film Review: Crime, survival, and the thin line between outlaw and hero

By Vic Gerami

It’s not often that I find myself imagining Channing Tatum as an Oscar contender, but with Roofman, that possibility feels entirely real. This is, without question, the best performance of his career. It’s also a major moment for Kirsten Dunst, who delivers what may be her finest work to date, likely worthy of recognition in the Supporting Actress category.

Award bodies such as the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice, and the Academy often reward actors who portray characters who are extraordinary, people living with disabilities, illnesses, or unique social identities. Yet I’ve always believed that playing an “ordinary” person is just as, if not more, difficult, both to perform convincingly and to gain recognition for. Roofman proves that truth. Both Tatum and Dunst bring depth and authenticity to characters whose humanity feels raw and real.

The film, based on a true story, follows Jeff Manchester (Tatum), a career criminal with a good heart who, in the late 1990s, robbed forty-five McDonald’s locations. In 2004, he takes refuge by secretly living inside a Toys “R” Us store in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rather than sensationalizing this strange but true tale, the film presents it with matter-of-fact restraint, allowing the humanity behind the story to shine through.

One of the great strengths of Roofman is that, unlike many Hollywood films, it doesn’t mock or vilify Christian people or Christianity. Instead, it portrays the beauty of community, compassion, and faith, embodied through Dunst’s character. Both she and Tatum are pushed to new levels of vulnerability and range. While Tatum’s natural charm still finds its way into the film, there are moments where his heartthrob image surfaces, such as a scene of him bathing or running naked, but it never overshadows the emotional honesty of his performance.

What makes Tatum’s portrayal so powerful is how he makes you root for a man who, by definition, is breaking the law. Manchester commits crimes not out of greed or malice, but out of desperation and love for his family. His moral complexity draws empathy. You find yourself wanting him to succeed, to get away with it, even as you know he’s doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Audiences will connect with Roofman because it taps into a truth that feels more urgent than ever, the widening divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the steady disintegration of the middle class. In today’s America, an honest, hard-working person often struggles to provide the basics for themselves and their family. That reality creates a powerful emotional backdrop for the story.

We’re not inclined to feel sorry for massive corporations like Toys “R” Us or McDonald’s, especially the latter, which faces global criticism, including a boycott by the BDS movement for its support of Israel during the Palestinian genocide. Roofman works on several levels, and one of its quiet achievements is the way it weaves these real-world inequities into a personal, human story.

The film’s direction, handled with quiet precision, avoids both crime-thriller flash and sentimental manipulation. Once Jeff settles into the hidden crawl spaces of the toy store, the story balances suspense with surprising tenderness. His interactions with employees and his gradual moral reckoning bring the narrative to life. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, grounded by cinematography that mirrors Jeff’s confined existence and emotional isolation. The result is a film that feels both intimate and socially aware, a reflection on survival, conscience, and the limits of the American dream.

Ultimately, it’s the subtlety of both Channing Tatum’s and Kirsten Dunst’s performances that makes Roofman remarkable. Their restraint and emotional honesty give the film its gravity. Roofman isn’t flashy or sensational; it’s grounded, humane, and deeply affecting. Both actors deserve serious awards consideration, and the film itself deserves to be part of the conversation.