Movie Review: Rental Family
At Chasing Pixies, we spend a lot of time looking for the kinds of films that stay with you after the credits roll. We’re not chasing the loudest releases or the biggest spectacle. We look for stories with heart, strong character work, and something meaningful to say about the way people live and connect. I went into Rental Family thinking the concept sounded interesting. I didn’t expect it to land as one of those quiet, emotional moments that linger long after it’s over.
Set in modern-day Tokyo, the film follows Phillip (Brendan Fraser), a struggling American actor who has drifted through life without much direction. When he takes a job with a Japanese rental family agency, he begins stepping into strangers’ lives, playing whatever role they need. A temporary husband to a woman who is in love with a woman. A father figure to Mia. A supportive friend to Kikuo. At first, the work feels purely transactional, another way to earn money and keep going. But the deeper Phillip gets into these temporary relationships, the harder it becomes to separate performance from genuine connection.
One of the strongest elements of the film is its character development, especially within the agency itself. Phillip’s coworkers initially seem focused on the business side of things, treating each assignment as a job to complete efficiently. As the story unfolds, you start to see their perspective shift. What begins as professional distance slowly turns into real emotional investment, and the team begins to care deeply about the people they’re helping. That evolution gives the film its emotional core and makes the world feel authentic.
Fraser plays the lonely outsider in Tokyo with a quiet vulnerability that never feels forced. Phillip isn’t dramatic or flashy. He’s an occasional actor, a bit unsure, and carrying the weight of feeling disconnected from his own life. His growing emotional ties with Mia and Kikuo become the heart of the story, and those relationships are handled with patience and care. Nothing feels rushed. The connections build naturally, which makes their impact hit even harder.
The setting also plays a major role in the film’s emotional tone. Tokyo is presented with warmth and detail, but some of the most powerful moments happen when Phillip and Kikuo travel to Kikuo’s hometown. The sequence surrounding a traditional Japanese funeral is especially moving, portrayed with cultural care and quiet respect. It’s a reminder that grief, respect, and the need for community cross every language and background.
What makes Rental Family stand out is its restraint. Instead of leaning into big emotional speeches or dramatic twists, the story focuses on small gestures, quiet conversations, and the unspoken understanding that grows between people who need each other. By the end, the film reveals itself as an unexpected gem about human connection in a world where loneliness has become far too common.
If you’re someone who appreciates character-driven storytelling and emotional depth over spectacle, this is the kind of film that rewards your attention. It doesn’t demand your emotions. It earns them, and that’s exactly why it stays with you.
Searchlight Pictures’ Rental Family Arriveson Digital Jan. 13 and Blu-ray™ Feb. 17!
Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Materials*
- Featurette: Rental Family Revealed — Go behind the scenes with Brendan Fraser, director HIKARI, and the Japanese cast as they explore friendship, culture, found family, and filming in Japan in this intimate look at the making of Rental Family.
- Deleted/Extended Scenes:
- Columbus
- Crying Session
- Apology
- Aiko’s First Client
- Clearbright
- Tickets
- Audition
- Phone Call
- Final Montage
*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer.
