Feature
Rental Family
Set against modern-day Tokyo, RENTAL FAMILY follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.
2025, 103 minutes, Japan/United States, Directed by Hikari, Rated PG-13
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"An ode to all the people out there who are lonely, grieving and in pain, a lesson on how healing comes from within, and a reminder that we are alive. It’s irresistibly human, and it’s the best film of the year."
– Serena Seghedoni, LOUD AND CLEAR REVIEWS -
"Hikari’s fluid filmmaking is alert to nuance, humour and wisdom in unexpected places, and she makes Tokyo looks absolutely luminous."
– Peter Howell, TORONTO STAR -
"A film that runs the gamut of emotions, with Fraser delivering a sensitive performance that ranks among his best."
– Travis Hopson, PUNCH DRUNK CRITICS -
"An earnest and sentimental exploration of loneliness and the longing for human connection."
– Audrey Fox, LOOPER.COM -
"Rental Family wants to pluck your heartstrings, and it does so with charm and humor and humility, and grace for the lonely souls who yearn to connect, whatever form that connection may take."
– Sarah Marrs, LAINEY GOSSIP
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