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According to FlixPatrol, which measures the popularity of titles on various streaming services, Roofman is currently the No. 1 movie on Paramount+, beating out action blockbuster Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning for the coveted top spot. Roofman was added to the streaming service on Tuesday, December 9th, so it’s quickly drawn a sizable audience.
Roofman Is an Overlooked Gem Based on a Wild True Story
Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction, and one only has to look at Roofman for proof. The film is based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester (Tatum), an Army veteran who resorts to crime to provide for his family. He carves out a reputation for himself by stringing together a series of McDonald’s robberies, earning the moniker “Roofman” because he always sneaks in through the roof. Eventually, the authorities catch up to Jeffrey, but he later escapes prison and spends months hiding in a Toys “R” Us. In an attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy in his life, Jeffrey forms an unlikely bond with Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), one of the Toys “R” Us employees.
The biggest draw of Roofman, understandably, is Tatum. The film feels like an old-school movie star vehicle, as it’s built around him and brilliantly plays into his strengths as an actor. Though the narrative sports serious personal stakes, the tone is more lighthearted and entertaining than one might expect from director Derek Cianfrance (of The Place Beyond the Pines and Blue Valentine fame), allowing Tatum to lean into his natural charm and comedic sensibilities. The sequences of him exploring the Toys “R” Us late at night can be quite funny. But Tatum is also more than capable of handling dramatic material, gracefully handling the quieter and more intimate moments in Roofman. He and Cianfrance combine their powers to craft a film that’s very well-balanced.
