I went into “Roofman” with no expectations, and that turned out to be the best possible way to experience the 2025 comedy-drama based on a true story.

Gripping and unexpectedly moving, it is one of those rare character-driven stories that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Channing Tatum delivers what may well be the strongest performance of his career. Stripped of the bravado he is often known for, Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester — a former US army veteran and struggling dad who turns to a life of crime — with a raw vulnerability that feels lived-in rather than performed.

His portrayal balances charm, desperation and weariness in a way that makes the character both flawed and sympathetic. It is the kind of performance that reminds you how effective he can be when handed a script that trusts stillness as much as spectacle.

The film follows Jeff, a man on the run, living out of sight inside a Toys “R” Us store, and constantly improvising his survival. Without giving anything away, “Roofman” unfolds as a tense cat-and-mouse story, but one that resists becoming purely a thriller.

The pacing is deliberate and assured, allowing moments of humor, warmth and connection to surface naturally amid the suspense.

What “Roofman” does exceptionally well is maintain an undercurrent of unease. Even in its lighter, more playful moments, there is a persistent sense of claustrophobia and impending doom.

The script understands that tension does not always rise from action; sometimes it is born simply from the fear of being seen. “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage’s flawless portrayal of the store’s stern and authoritarian manager sharpens that anxiety.

Kirsten Dunst brings a grounded, affecting presence to the story, offering moments of tenderness and emotional clarity that deepen its human core. Her character anchors Jeff’s world with something real to reach for.

Despite its thrills, “Roofman” is ultimately a reflective film that asks, without judgment, how people arrive at the decisions that shape their lives, and why some feel trapped into making the wrong ones.

Underrated and surprisingly heartfelt, “Roofman” is a reminder that some of the most compelling stories are about the resilience of hope even when the odds are stacked against you.