Top News

A young girl expresses her indifference towards a light installation, telling her father that it's cool yet fake. Her father, an actor, has been engaged by a rental family agency in Tokyo to play various roles, including that of her single mother, to help her gain admission into a prestigious school.

Phillip, portrayed by Brendan Fraser, becomes part of a Japanese trend that has intrigued sociologists and psychologists alike, and has even spread to other nations. Individuals seeking to maintain social appearances, ensure event attendance, or simply find companionship hire actors to fill familial roles.

In the film Rental Family (2025), directed by Hikari, Phillip arrives in Japan to shoot a toothpaste commercial but ends up staying longer. He navigates his new life speaking Japanese and taking on various minor roles. His initial assignment with the rental family company is so unusual that he contemplates quitting.

However, the company’s manager, Shinji, played by Takehiro Hira, convinces him to stay, despite the unwelcoming attitude of his colleague Aiko (Mari Yamamoto). Phillip discovers that being the 'token white guy' keeps him occupied, but when he takes on the role of Mia’s father, he learns that there are boundaries to deception.

Phillip also becomes emotionally attached to Kikuo, an elderly actor suffering from dementia (Akira Emoto). These experiences challenge Phillip’s dedication and remind him of his own isolated existence and the family he has left behind in Japan.

Rental Family is available for streaming on JioHotstar. Co-written by Hikari and Stephen Blahut, this English-Japanese film offers a gentle yet insightful exploration of relationships in a disjointed society.

Rather than focusing on the unsettling aspects of hiring strangers, the film aims to redefine what family means in a world that often feels disconnected and indifferent. By offering himself for hire, Phillip forms bonds that might not have been possible otherwise, mirroring the complexities of real life, which proves both enlightening and disconcerting for him.

The film features delightful performances, stunning visuals, and an overall charming atmosphere. Brendan Fraser shines in the lead role, embodying a man in need of solace while navigating the peculiarities of his new job and unlocking his own suppressed emotions.

Fraser's performance strikes a perfect balance, neither overly dramatic nor too subdued, much like the film itself, which artfully blends humor with heartfelt moments.