A still from ‘Rental Family’
| Photo Credit: Searchlight Pictures
Searchlight Pictures has released the first trailer for Rental Family, a dramatic comedy starring Brendan Fraser as an American actor navigating life in Tokyo’s unusual surrogate family industry. The film is set for theatrical release on November 21 following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
In Rental Family, Fraser portrays a struggling actor who begins working for a Japanese agency that provides stand-in family members for clients seeking emotional support or companionship. Through his work, he becomes entangled in the lives of strangers. This marks Fraser’s first leading role since his Oscar-winning performance in The Whale (2022).
The film also stars Mari Yamamoto (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters), Takehiro Hira (Shōgun), and Akira Emoto (Dr. Akagi). Shot on location in Japan between March and May of last year, the project brings together Japanese and Western perspectives on themes of loneliness, identity, and emotional connection.
Directed by Hikari, known for 37 Seconds and her work on the Netflix series Beef, Rental Family is her second feature film. She co-wrote the script with cinematographer Stephen Blahut. The production team includes Hikari, Shin Yamaguchi, Julia Lebedev, and Eddie Vaisman.
Ahead of the trailer’s release, the marketing campaign featured mock advertisements for the fictional Rental Family Agency, with Fraser appearing in character in various family scenarios. These posters, written in both Japanese and English, promoted services like “24/7 consultation” and “Happiness Tailored To You,” blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
Published – August 06, 2025 11:08 am IST
