• Comedy
• Drama

Rental Family 2025

Directed by the visionary filmmaker HIKARI and distributed by Searchlight Pictures, Rental Family (2025) is a soulful comedy-drama that navigates the intersection of cultural displacement and the universal need for belonging. Set against the vibrant backdrop of modern-day Tokyo, the film follows Phillip Vanderploeg, portrayed by Brendan Fraser, an American actor who has lived in Japan for seven years but finds his career stalled after a quirky toothpaste commercial remains his only claim to fame. Desperate for income and purpose, Phillip joins a "rental family" agency run by the pragmatic Shinji. Initially hired as the "token white guy" for various social scenarios, Phillip’s assignments range from playing a fiancé for a traditional wedding to a father figure for a young biracial girl named Mia. As he immerses himself in these manufactured lives, the boundaries between his professional performance and his genuine emotions begin to blur, forcing him to confront the isolation of his own life while finding unexpected healing through these temporary connections. The narrative deepens as Phillip takes on two significant long-term roles: acting as the estranged father to Mia to help her enroll in a prestigious private school, and posing as a journalist to profile Kikuo Hasegawa, a legendary retired actor suffering from dementia. Despite the agency's strict rule against personal involvement, Phillip forms a profound paternal bond with Mia and a deep respect for Kikuo. The emotional climax of the film occurs when Phillip defies agency protocols to take Kikuo on a poignant journey to his childhood home, helping the elderly man recover a buried time capsule and his sense of self. Although his actions lead to a brief legal misunderstanding where his coworkers Aiko and Shinji must use their own acting skills to pose as lawyers and detectives to clear his name, the film concludes on a hopeful note. Phillip remains in Tokyo, transitioning from a hired father to a genuine friend for Mia and continuing his work with the agency, which evolves to focus on more ethical and meaningful human support. The film features a stellar ensemble cast led by Brendan Fraser in a performance widely praised for its vulnerability and "sensitive star power." He is supported by Takehiro Hira as Shinji, the agency owner, and Mari Yamamoto as Aiko, a fellow worker who provides the emotional conscience of the agency. Newcomer Shannon Mahina Gorman delivers a breakout performance as Mia, while the veteran actor Akira Emoto provides a heart-wrenching turn as Kikuo. Other notable cast members include Misato Morita, Sei Matobu, and Shohei Uno, who help flesh out the rich, intersecting lives of the agency’s clients and employees. Since its theatrical debut on November 21, 2025, Rental Family has become a notable prestige hit, grossing approximately $10.05 million domestically and reaching a worldwide total of $10.7 million as of mid-January 2026. The film has maintained strong momentum through the awards circuit, bolstered by an 87% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.For audiences looking to watch the film at home, Rental Family has just launched on Digital VOD platforms today, January 13, 2026, and is available for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. A physical Blu-ray and DVD release is scheduled for February 17, 2026, with the film expected to make its subscription streaming debut on Hulu and Disney+ internationally by late February. Read More

• 2025
• 1 h : 50 min
• 219 views
• 7.545
• PG-13