Rental Family, co-written and directed by Hikari Beef, features Brendan Fraser as Phillip Vandarploeug, an American actor navigating life in Japan. 

 

A decade after relocating to Japan following brief fame from a toothpaste commercial, Phillip still struggles to land a meaningful acting role. Out of desperation, he accepts what seems like a typical job—only to uncover something far more unusual: an agency that hires actors to fill emotional voids in clients’ lives. After his first assignment, the agency’s director, Shinji (Takehiro Hira), offers Phillip a chance for steady work, promising it will be fulfilling. Though conflicted about the ethics of such a service, Phillip agrees, and what begins as an absurd gig evolves into various deeply transformative experiences. 

 

The “pretend” roles Phillip assumes gradually pull him into the private worlds of these families, exposing him to genuine emotions, desires, and connections - things missing from his own life:  He becomes a groom in a staged wedding for a young woman eager to satisfy her family, an estranged father to a 10-year-old girl who slowly opens up to him, and an author interviewing a dying man with dementia who was once a celebrated actor.

 

Through these encounters, Phillip confronts his own isolation and search for meaning. Yet as he becomes emotionally invested, his authentic self seeps into the roles, sometimes leading to bonds that end in unexpected ways. His work blurs the line between hired character and his true identity, forcing him to reflect on who he really is and what he values.

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The concept of rental families isn’t purely fictional - it exists in Japan as a response to societal pressures and loneliness. Hikari uses this premise to explore the tension between human longing and cultural expectations, framed through the commodification of relationships. Phillip’s outsider perspective highlights the absurdity of these constructs while revealing the universal need for genuine connection.

 

Rental Family is more than a comedy about an actor taking on unusual work in a foreign culture - it’s a heartfelt, authentic exploration of loneliness, identity, and the fragile boundary between societal norms and personal fulfilment. It also invites viewers to question what truly makes a relationship “real” and “meaningful.” Thoughtful, tender, and quietly profound, this film is a perfect choice for the festive season with loved ones.

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Brendan Fraser stars in Rental Family, directed by Hikari (Beef). An American actor in Japan takes a job renting “family” roles—what begins as absurd becomes a tender, profound story of identity, loneliness and connection. Perfect for the festive season.