A true story that proves reality is so often wilder than fiction, Roofman, from director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine), details the life of Jeffrey Manchester, dubbed the “Roofman” due to his modus operandi of breaking into his target locations (mostly McDonald’s restaurants) through their roofs. After escaping prison and hiding out in a Toys “R” Us outlet, Jeffrey carved out a new life for himself from inside the shop walls, falling in love in the process.
Brought to the screen through Channing Tatum‘s career-best performance, and also starring Kirsten Dunst as the woman who stole his heart and LaKeith Stanfield as his best friend, Roofman is one of this year’s finest films (you can read our review here), and our Peter Gray was fortunate to speak with the acting trio at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival last month, where the film had its world premiere, discussing with them about what they revealed about themselves as people on screen.
Derek’s films so often feel as if we’re seeing someone’s soul on screen, their skin entirely peeled back. With Roofman, what part of your soul do you feel ended up on screen?
Channing Tatum: Wow, oh man. Being isolated and feeling that loneliness was a real theme in this movie. And it was a bit of that for me, in general, making (Roofman). Most of the movie, I’m by myself. So when another actor shows up (on set) it’s like, “Oh, my God, I get to act with somebody!” Usually it was just me and the crew, and you have the family that is Derek and everybody behind the camera, but you’re still alone out there being the only one in front of the camera, trying to figure out the world and do stuff. So I think loneliness and just sinking into Jeff and that moment in his life, trying to grasp any kind of love. He’s starving for love, and he literally broke out (of prison) because he, one though it was unfair, but two, did it for his family. He had this dream that was probably not ever going to be real, that he was going to escape somewhere with his kids. If you’re in (jail) forever, you have to come up with something to keep going, and he did. He was smart enough to break out and smart enough to stay inside. It’s genius to me. When Derek told me about it, I was like, “I’m sorry. What? What happened? This is a true story?” I still can’t believe it.
LaKeith Stanfield: I like that question. I think anytime you have an opportunity with a character to derive truth, you got to peel a little back to get there. So luckily, with these characters and how brilliant a writer and director Derek is, he was able to provide that opportunity to peel something back in yourself, to let that shine through. So it’s really a testament to him, and that’s just stepping up to the plate and being ready to play ball. And Channing is amazing and really helped me get there as well. I hope in everything I do, I can bare a little bit. But I know, for sure, in this one, I bared some.
Kirsten, you’ve worked with a lot of visionary directors throughout your career – Sofia Coppola, Alex Garland, Cameron Crowe – how did Derek’s approach compare, especially in terms of pulling something new out of you?
Kirsten Dunst: This character, I really love the environment. I felt like, if I could say anything, I felt very comfortable with Derek. He loves actors and trying things, and he doesn’t care if you fall flat on your face. He wants it all. And I love that if you have an impulse, he goes with it.
And where do you see Jeff as an ethical character? Someone good, bad, or in between?
Kirsten Dunst: That’s the beauty of this movie. He’s a good human, he’s just made bad decisions.
Roofman is screening in Australian theatres from October 16th, 2025.
