Brendan Fraser stars in the 'beautifully made' film Rental Family, which has left viewers 'ugly crying' and questioning how they perceive life. The movie, now available to stream on Disney+, features Takehiro Hira from Shogun and follows an American actor struggling to find purpose after relocating to Japan.
Plot Overview
Fraser portrays Phillip Vanderploeg, an actor who joins an agency in Tokyo called Rental Family. This unique service provides actors to play stand-in family members for various occasions, from funeral attendants to stepfathers. As Phillip takes on these roles, he gradually forms genuine bonds with the people he is hired by, leading him to a critical decision: continue working for the agency or return to his former acting career.
Viewer Reactions
On Reddit, one viewer shared their emotional experience: 'I've just watched it today. I am an older person, however this did kick me in the feels. Wonderfully shot, beautifully made. Make the time to see it. It's a slow burner however it did make me think about life and how we see it. It made me feel like something is missing in my own life. Maybe for the good or not, I don't know. Just take out some time and watch.'
Another viewer responded: 'I didn't expect to ugly cry during this one, but I did. I thought it was supposed to be a sweet heartwarming comedy.' A third added: 'Loved the film. Great acting all round. Such a heartfelt, funny and touching film. Absolutely loved the cinematography, and the score was sublime.'
A fourth commenter noted: 'Just watched Rental Family today. It is an underrated film in my opinion. I was impressed by the storytelling, themes, and character development, and all of that in under 2 hours. Wow!'
Critical Reception
Debuting in 2025, the film holds an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and audiences alike have praised its emotional depth and Fraser's performance.
Rental Family is available to stream on Disney+.
