Roofman

Roofman

Year: 2025

Runtime: 2 h 6 m

Language: english

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Echo Score: 65
BiographyCrimeDramaHistoryMusic

Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a former Army Ranger and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname Roofman. After escaping prison, he hides inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected and evading the authorities.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Roofman (2025)

Trace every key event in Roofman (2025) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Roof-level break-in at McDonald's

Jeffrey Manchester rappels onto the rooftop of a McDonald's and forces the staff to surrender at gunpoint. He shoves the manager, Duane, and two employees into the freezer, then, after a courteous gesture of giving Duane his hoodie, escapes when a police car pulls into the drive-thru.

Present day opening scene McDonald's (rooftop entry)
2

Two years earlier: Jeff's life unravels

Jeff is discharged from the army and divorced, left to support his three kids. At Becky's birthday party he gives a hand-me-down toy, signaling his inability to provide, and the strain on his family begins to show.

Two years before present Becky's birthday party
3

Steve recognizes Jeff's talents

Jeff talks with his friend Steve about finding an honest job, but Steve points out Jeff's exceptional powers of observation. Steve suggests that Jeff could use those skills in the right way, planting the idea that his abilities could be used for something more than crime.

Two years before present Steve's place
4

Jeff studies McDonald's patterns

Over time, Jeff watches how McDonald's operates and starts to sketch a plan based on what he notices. He becomes fixated on exploiting a pattern rather than simply committing a random crime.

Two years before present Various McDonald's locations
5

First wave of robberies: 45 stores

Jeff begins robbing McDonald's using the same method, and the spree grows into a nationwide string of robberies. The press dubs him 'Roofman' as his stunt captures headlines.

Two years before present Across city fast-food locations
6

Becky's party turns to arrest and sentencing

While celebrating a nicer party for Becky, police close in and arrest Jeff. He is sentenced to 45 years for the earlier McDonald's robberies, with Duane and his employees present in the courtroom.

Two years before present Courtroom
7

Prison life and escape prep

Jeff begins working in the prison auto shop and notices a truck's routine that he can exploit to escape. He quietly changes clothes in the woods and prepares for a breakout.

Post-sentencing Prison auto shop; surrounding woods
8

Toys R Us becomes his hideout

After his escape, Jeff hides in Toys R Us, climbing into the ceiling when the store empties and carving out a hidden space in the middle of the store behind the bikes. He lives there by day and roams the store at night, surviving on candy and scavenged items.

After escape Toys R Us
9

Leigh Wainscott enters his life

Jeff discovers Leigh, a store employee and single mother, and the pair begins to form a bond. He quietly seizes control of the store's system to remove Leigh from the weekend schedule and makes himself useful in other ways.

After escape Toys R Us
10

John Zorn: deception and romance

Using the alias 'John Zorn,' Jeff woos Leigh at church and at a singles event, avoiding questions about his past. Leigh initially suspects he may be gay, then grows more involved as their relationship deepens.

After escape Church and church events
11

Leigh and Mitch clash over time off

Leigh asks for time off to be with her kids, but Mitch refuses. Jeff hacks the store system to pull Leigh onto a different schedule and later donates stolen toys to Leigh's church to build trust.

After romance Toys R Us
12

Pawn shop break-in and Mitch's store robbery

Jeff attempts to break into his familiar pawn shop but ends up in the next building, breaking through into the pawn shop to steal a gun. He then robs Mitch's store, holds staff at gunpoint, and is confronted by Leigh who sees him in a ski mask.

Mid-escape period Pawn shop; Mitch's store (Toys R Us location)
13

Plans to flee: Steve and the dentist

Jeff takes the money to Steve to fund an escape but Steve insists he cut ties with his past. He plans to flee the country and even tries to erase his footprint by burning down the dentist's office.

Pre-Christmas Steve's place; dentist's office
14

Christmas morning arrest

On the morning he is set to drive away, Leigh calls for Christmas dinner; Jeff goes to Leigh's apartment and is arrested by a task force. He receives an extended prison sentence after confessing his story to others.

Christmas morning Leigh's apartment
15

Prison life and hopeful future

Leigh visits Jeff in prison and reaffirms that the kids are safe; they share a tearful hug despite the lies between them. The film ends with Jeff eligible for parole in 2036 and now working in the prison library, while Leigh has remarried and visited him again.

2036 (parole eligibility) Prison; epilogue

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:47

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Roofman Summary

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Roofman Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Roofman

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