Searchlight unveils first trailer for Brendan Fraser's ‘Rental Family': Plot, release date and other details
Brendan Fraser stars in Rental Family, a dramatic comedy directed by Hikari, marking his first leading role since The Whale. Set in Tokyo, the film follows an American actor who joins a "rental family" agency, forming unexpected bonds as he portrays various family roles.
Set in Tokyo, Rental Family follows a struggling American actor (Fraser) who finds work at a Japanese "rental family" agency—an unusual business that hires people to play family roles for clients in need. Searchlight Pictures has dropped the first trailer for Rental Family , a dramatic comedy starring Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser in his first leading role since The Whale . Directed and co-written by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hikari ( 37 Seconds , Beef ), the film is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September before hitting theaters on November 21, 2025.
Set in Tokyo, Rental Family follows a struggling American actor (Fraser) who finds work at a Japanese "rental family" agency—an unusual business that hires people to play family roles for clients in need. As he steps into the lives of strangers—posing as a husband, father, or brother—he forms unexpected emotional bonds and rediscovers a sense of belonging.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm)
Fraser is joined by a talented ensemble cast, including Mari Yamamoto ( Monarch ), Takehiro Hira ( Shogun ), and Akira Emoto ( Dr. Akagi ). The film was shot on location in Japan between March and May last year, capturing the cultural specificity and emotional depth of its unique premise. The trailer continues the film's offbeat marketing campaign, featuring mock advertisements for the fictional Rental Family Agency, with Fraser dressed for various life scenarios—from weddings and golf outings to cozy movie nights. Rental Family is Hikari's second feature film after 37 Seconds , which debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival and was distributed by Netflix. She co-wrote the screenplay with 37 Seconds cinematographer Stephen Blahut. The film is produced by Hikari, Shin Yamaguchi, Julia Lebedev, and Eddie Vaisman, with cinematography by Takurô Ishizaka and editing by Thomas A. Krueger. Developed by Sight Unseen Productions, the film promises a heartfelt and quietly humorous exploration of loneliness, identity, and the families we create.
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