Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the official trailer for Rental Family, a tender and introspective drama starring Brendan Fraser in one of his most emotionally nuanced roles to date. Directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hikari (37 Seconds), also known as Mitsuyo Miyazaki, the film is set for theatrical release on November 21, 2025 — right in time for awards season.
Set in the heart of modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows a struggling American actor, played by Fraser, who stumbles into an unusual profession after years of personal and professional aimlessness. He begins working for a Japanese “rental family” agency — a real-world industry where actors are hired to play stand-in roles for clients: a husband, a father, a friend, or even a long-lost son. The work is transactional — but the emotions quickly become anything but.
As the trailer reveals, what starts as a curious job becomes a powerful lens into the quiet loneliness of modern life. Fraser’s character, navigating language and cultural barriers, finds unexpected connection and redemption through his interactions with clients who desperately seek comfort, closure, or simply company. Through a series of deeply human encounters, he is forced to confront the blurred lines between performance and sincerity — and his own need for healing.
Joining Fraser in the cast are Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and veteran Japanese actor Akira Emoto. The ensemble brings authenticity and emotional gravitas to a story rooted in real cultural practices and emotional truths.
The screenplay, co-written by Stephen Blahut and Hikari, reflects a delicate balance of East and West, with richly layered dialogue and subtle social commentary on isolation, identity, and chosen family. Shot on location in Tokyo, the film features quiet, contemplative visuals that echo the emotional undercurrents — a style reminiscent of Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation but with a more grounded, local soul.
Rental Family is Fraser’s first major international role since winning the Academy Award for The Whale, and early buzz suggests this may be another performance that touches deeply. The trailer hints at both heartbreak and hope, offering a story that explores the meaning of human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
With Rental Family, Hikari delivers a culturally resonant film that asks: Who do we become when we’re playing a role for others? And what happens when those roles begin to reflect our truest selves?
Rental Family releases in theaters November 21, 2025 via Searchlight Pictures.
Check Out The Trailer:-