Rental Family
dir. Hikari · 2025
Finding true connection and purpose in life often requires stepping outside of oneself and embracing the experiences of others.
An American actor finds himself in Tokyo, navigating the peculiar world of a rental family agency, where he plays roles for strangers seeking connection. As he immerses himself in these fleeting relationships, the film unfolds like a delicate tapestry of human emotion, revealing the profound beauty in transient moments and the complexities of identity.
Set in modern-day Tokyo, "Rental Family" follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients' worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.
Talking points
- the ethics of performance work
- the nature of family and connection
- cultural differences in expressions of love
- the impact of loneliness in urban life
