Channing Tatum Stars in ‘Roofman’: True Crime Thriller Filmed in Charlotte Premieres at Local Film Festival

At the Carolina Theatre on Tuesday, Roofman kicked off the 2025 Charlotte Film Festival. The film tells an unbelievable local crime story. Channing Tatum steps into the role of Jeffrey Manchester, who gained notoriety by cutting holes in fast-food restaurant roofs to steal cash.

"It was the only place to make this movie," said director Derek Cianfrance to the packed house at the Carolina Theatre, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Film crews worked in Charlotte for 37 days during late 2024. The story tracks Manchester's string of break-ins through restaurant ceilings. After breaking out of jail, he found shelter in a Toys R' Us, where he met a woman from a nearby church.

"The real Jeff is lively and jovial, and a lot of fun," Cianfrance told The Charlotte Observer. "His whole purpose was to be a better provider for his family ... and he made these huge mistakes in order to achieve that."

To shoot key scenes, production designer Inbal Weinberg built a complete store set. Her team used parts from an old Pineville location. "Our entire department turned into a toy manufacturing facility. We had to buy toys, create them, create the graphics and bring in all of the shelving," Weinberg said.

The cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, and Ben Mendelsohn working with Channing Tatum. Several Charlotte residents with ties to the true events make brief appearances.

Manchester sits in a maximum security cell near Raleigh, serving 45 years. He hasn't watched the final cut yet. Before she died, his mother shared a laugh with him about the movie's tagline "based on actual events and terrible decisions," according to Cianfrance.

Films will screen across Charlotte through Sunday, Sept. 28, as part of the festival. Roofman airs once more at the festival on Sunday, and opens nationwide Oct. 10.