Films & Events

Rental Family is a heartfelt comedy-drama from director and co-writer Hikari (winner of multiple emerging-director awards for this film), starring Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto. Adapted from real Japanese “rental family” services, the film follows a lonely American actor living in Tokyo who takes a job performing stand-in roles in other people’s lives. What begins as emotional labor for hire soon becomes a sincere exploration of identity, connection, and the unexpected families we build along the way.

The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and went on to screen at major festivals around the world—including Adelaide, Rome, Tokyo, and Stockholm—earning strong acclaim for its gentle humor and emotional depth. Critics praised its blend of  introspection and warmth, with Fraser singled out for a “truly Oscar-worthy performance” and Hikari celebrated for her “sweet and lyrical” direction.

2025. 110 min.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some strong language, and suggestive material.