By Jackson Arterberry
A/V Editor

Hikari’s “Rental Family movie” poster. Photos courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Hikari’s “Rental Family” is one of those movies that catches you off guard in a really enjoyable way. At first, the premise sounds kind of silly. An American actor in Tokyo, stuck in a career that is going nowhere, signs up to work for a “rental family” agency. You may hear that and expect a comedy full of awkward jokes or maybe something over the top. Instead, writer-director Hikari turns it into a surprisingly emotional story that gets progressively deeper.

Brendan Fraser plays Phillip Vandarploeug, a guy who is not having a dramatic meltdown but is clearly just drifting through life. His auditions are awkward, his walks around Tokyo feel aimless and his apartment looks like he moved in without ever unpacking. When he finds the rental family agency run by Shinji, played by Takehiro Hira, it does not feel like a big turning point. It feels like he is just trying another random job because he does not know what else to do.

The agency sends people to fill all kinds of roles. Some need a wedding guest, others want someone to act like a supportive family member or simply a person to be there during an emotional moment. It is a concept that could easily be played for laughs or treated like something shady, but the film does not do either. Instead, it shows how a culture that values privacy sometimes leaves people without emotional support, so they look for connection wherever they can find it.

Phillip trying to learn this job is both sweet and awkward. Fraser plays him with a real gentleness, and even when he is unsure or out of his element, you cannot help rooting for him. His early jobs are funny in a quiet, relatable way, but the movie slowly becomes more reflective as he gets to know the people he is hired to help.

Phillip and Mia on the bus in the film.

One of the most memorable parts of the film is Phillip’s relationship with Mia Kawasaki, played by Shannon Mahina Gorman. Mia’s mom hires Phillip to act like a father figure during tough moments, and what starts as something fake turns into a real connection. Their scenes are simple and calm: doing homework, sitting on a bench, talking about small things that eventually lead to bigger feelings. Their bond feels natural, and it becomes the emotional center of the film. Phillip starts to realize he can still matter to someone, even if the relationship started as a paycheck.

Another strong part of the story is Phillip’s interactions with Kikuo Hasegawa, a retired actor played by Akira Emoto. Kikuo hires Phillip for reasons tied to regret and the dreams he never fully reached. Their conversations are honest and comforting, and they give the movie some of its most meaningful moments. Through these scenes, the film explores how acting is not just a profession but a way people sometimes understand themselves.

The film looks beautiful in a calm and subtle way. Hikari and cinematographer Stephen Blahut avoid flashy shots of Tokyo and instead show the quieter side of the city: small apartments, cozy streets and simple rooms that feel lived in. The colors and lighting shift gently along with Phillip’s growth, which adds to the film without ever distracting from it.

Phillip and Akio grabbing a drink after work in the film.

The pacing is slow, and some viewers might think it takes too long to get going. But the slower rhythm feels intentional, like the movie wants you to sit with Phillip as he figures out each job and each relationship. The ending brings everything together in a realistic and hopeful way, without any dramatic twists.

If the movie has one flaw, it is that some of the side characters show up briefly and then disappear before their stories can be fully explored. Even so, the main relationships are strong enough to keep the film grounded.

Hikari’s “Rental Family” is a quiet and emotional story about loneliness, connection and the different roles people fill in each other’s lives. Fraser gives a warm and heartfelt performance, and Hikari’s direction keeps everything honest and human. It is the kind of film that reminds you that even temporary relationships can leave a lasting impact.