Rental Family

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Rental Family

PG-13

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1h 43m

Comedy

Drama

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87%

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124 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

500+ Verified Ratings

Set in 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.

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Critics Consensus

A sweet-natured dramedy about faking human connection until you make it, Rental Family provides Brendan Fraser an ideal showcase for his sensitive star power while backing him up with a terrific ensemble.

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Audience Says

A feel-good story to warm you up this holiday season, Rental Family explores loneliness while reaffirming the significance of human connection.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

The main reason to see it is Brendan Fraser. He is perfectly cast in this role.

Nov 25, 2025

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

It has a terrific premise for a movie, at any rate... But it's a missed opportunity to get under the surface.

Nov 25, 2025

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G. Allen Johnson

San Francisco Chronicle

It wears its heart on its sleeve and is a bit too sentimental, but it is sweet and pleasing.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 24, 2025

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Diane Carson

AWFJ.org

Japanese director/co-writer Hikari effectively dramatizes renting actors in "Rental Family" as unemployed American Phillip Vandarpleog (Brendan Fraser), living in contemporary Tokyo, must scramble for a job, landing work from a human rental agency.

Nov 29, 2025

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Rendy Jones

Rendy Reviews

Rental Family is a tender and affectionate drama elevated by Brendan Fraser's star presence and delves into the theme of human connectivity, despite its basic lighthearted demeanor.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 26, 2025

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Kiko Martinez

The Cinesnob Podcast

A reflective exploration of loneliness and the ways people find meaning in their lives through connection.

Rated: B+

Nov 26, 2025

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Susan

Very touching tale of a a yearning for family and connection. Entertaining and humorous as well. Beautiful scenery!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Sue

Lovely movie, Brendan Fraiser excellent and other main actors wonderful, scenery great, storyline very touching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Lucy G

Quirky, slightly unrealistic exposition used to explore and uncover emotions from love to loneliness. Bits of comedy sprinkled throughout a narrative that carries the heart of family, isolation, religion, rebellion, honesty, deception, and other themes. Cinematography does well to reflect the character's mental state and also at times feels just to serve as a love letter to Japan's natural and urban scenery. Brenden Fraser does a really good job acting as the slightly-awkward, trying-to-hide-his-emotions guy but we can easily see that he lets himself be affected by the people he serves and deeply cares for everyone. I really loved the prayer motif and Hasegawa's whole storyline.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Richard

Wonderful film. Brendan Frazier and cast were amazing. I did not want the movie to end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Jorge M

Fantastic movie. A simple, clean story without common places

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Andrea F

this was such a unique and good story line. I loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

Full Review

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HIKARI

Director

Brendan Fraser

Actor

Takehiro Hira

Actor

Mari Yamamoto

Actor

Shannon Gorman

Actor

Akira Emoto

Actor

Rental Family: Movie Clip - Token White Guy

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Rental Family: Movie Clip - Outsider

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Brendan Fraser on ‘Rental Family,’ His Iconic Career, and Teasing a New ‘Mummy’ Film

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Rental Family: Exclusive Featurette - Building a New Family

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Rental Family: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Set in 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.

Director: HIKARI
Producer: Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, HIKARI, Shin Yamaguchi
Screenwriter: HIKARI, Stephen Blahut
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Production Co: Sight Unseen
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements|Suggestive Material)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2025, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.3M
Runtime: 1h 43m