Brendan Fraser has officially claimed his throne as modern cinema’s most affecting performer, and he’s not letting go anytime soon.
Fresh off his Oscar-winning turn in “The Whale,” Fraser trades gut-wrenching tragedy for heartwarming charm in director Hikari’s “Rental Family,” a delightful East-meets-West dramedy that explores Japan’s fascinating rental family industry. The result is a beautifully crafted film that balances quirky humor with genuine emotional depth, proving Fraser’s comeback is far from a one-hit wonder.
A Fish Out of Water Story With Real Depth
Fraser stars as Phillip Vandarpleog, a washed-up American actor adrift in Tokyo after seven years as a perpetual outsider. Once the face of a toothpaste company’s superhero mascot, Phillip now scrapes by on odd acting gigs. When a bizarre funeral assignment introduces him to Japan’s rental family services—where actors portray relatives or friends for hire—he stumbles into a job that will challenge everything he thought he knew about connection and authenticity.
What makes “Rental Family” special is how director Hikari uses this peculiar premise to examine universal themes of loneliness, identity, and the families we choose. Phillip’s assignments range from playing a groom at a wedding (so a young woman can please her parents while hiding her girlfriend) to pretending to be a journalist interviewing a legendary Japanese actor. But it’s his role as temporary father to young Mia during a crucial school interview that truly opens his heart—and raises compelling ethical questions.
Fraser’s Affable Everyman Persona Finds Perfect Expression
Fraser excels at playing the awkward outsider gradually finding his place. His towering frame initially seems comically out of place navigating Tokyo’s crowded streets, but Hikari uses this visual contrast brilliantly, showing Phillip slowly integrating into the vibrant world around him. The same warmth and empathy that made “The Whale” so devastating works wonders here in a lighter context, as Fraser brings genuine kindness to every interaction.
The supporting cast enhances Fraser’s performance beautifully. Young Shannon Gorman is a revelation as Mia—her confident posture contrasting hilariously with Phillip’s slumped shoulders creates a dynamic where the child often seems more capable than her “father.” Japanese film legend Akira Emoto brings gravitas as an aging actor who finds unexpected kinship with Phillip, while Mari Yamamoto shines as Aiko, a jaded colleague who thinks Phillip is a disaster until he unexpectedly reinvigorates her purpose.
A Film That Asks the Hard Questions
“Rental Family” doesn’t shy away from the moral complexities of its premise. Is it ethical to tell a child you’re her father, knowing it’s temporary? Where’s the line between providing comfort and causing harm? The film thoughtfully explores these dilemmas without becoming preachy, trusting audiences to grapple with the ambiguity alongside Phillip.
Director Hikari demonstrates remarkable skill juggling tones—shifting seamlessly from screwball comedy to poignant family drama to workplace humor. She crafts a visual narrative that mirrors Phillip’s journey, transforming him from Godzilla-sized intruder to integrated member of Tokyo’s colorful tapestry. As the film bounces between father-daughter moments, love letters to classic cinema, and workplace shenanigans, it maintains a consistent emotional throughline.
The Verdict
“Rental Family” is a feel-good triumph that works precisely because it doesn’t take the easy route. It earns its warmth by honestly exploring what it means to connect with others—whether those connections are “real” or performed. Fraser continues his hot streak, reminding us why we fell in love with him in the first place: he brings genuine humanity to every role.
This East-West collaboration is a testament to cinema’s power to bridge cultures while exploring universal human experiences. It’s the kind of movie Frank Capra might have made if he’d directed in modern-day Tokyo, and it confirms that Brendan Fraser’s renaissance is here to stay.
What Works: Fraser’s touching performance, thoughtful exploration of ethics and loneliness, masterful tonal balance, strong ensemble cast
What Doesn’t: Some may find the premise’s quirks too strange to embrace initially
Bottom Line: “Rental Family” is a heartwarming, thought-provoking dramedy that showcases Brendan Fraser at his empathetic best while offering a fascinating window into Japanese culture and the universal human need for connection.
