Experience the heartwarming comedy-drama Rental Family that reunites Brendan Fraser with Tokyo’s unexpected “family” service.
Searchlight Pictures’ Rental Family has been selected as this year’s American Express Gala presentation at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. The UK premiere will take place on Thursday, 16 October at the Royal Festival Hall, with director Hikari and star Brendan Fraser expected in attendance.
About the Film
Directed and co-written by Hikari (37 Seconds, Beef), Rental Family follows Jack (Brendan Fraser), a down-on-his-luck American actor in modern-day Tokyo. Desperate for meaning, he takes a job with a “rental family” agency—playing stand-in relative roles for clients craving connection. As Jack inhabits the lives of strangers, he forges authentic bonds that blur the line between performance and reality, ultimately rediscovering belonging and the quiet beauty of human relationships. The film also stars Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto, and is produced by Eddie Vaisman, Julie Lebedev, Hikari, and Shin Yamaguchi. Rental Family hits UK cinemas in January 2026.
Watch the official trailer | Rental Family
Directed by: HIKARI
Screenplay by: HIKARI, Stephen Blahut
Produced by: Eddie Vaisman, p.g.a, Julia Lebedev, p.g.a, HIKARI, p.g.a, Shin Yamaguchi, p.g.a
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and Akira Emoto
Release Dates: September 6, 2025 – Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF); October 16, 2025 – BFI London Film Festival; November 21, 2025 in cinemas
Where to watch Rental Family (2025)
