Searchlight Pictures’ “Rental Family,” a drama set in modern-day Tokyo, will begin streaming on Disney+ through Hulu on March 18.
The film stars Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser as a once-promising American actor who struggles to find purpose while living in Japan. His circumstances change after he responds to an acting call from a “rental family” agency that hires people to assume surrogate roles for clients seeking companionship or emotional support.
As Fraser’s character takes on assignments for strangers, the work begins to blur the boundaries between performance and real life. The experience draws him deeper into the lives of his clients and prompts moments of empathy and reflection as he confronts the emotional weight of the roles he is asked to play.
Directed, co-written and produced by Hikari, “Rental Family” also stars Emmy nominee Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, newcomer Shannon Mahina Gorman and veteran Japanese actor Akira Emoto. Gorman received a Critics Choice Association nomination for her performance.
“Rental Family” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and later received audience awards at several festivals, including those in Chicago, Woodstock, Middleburg, Hawaii and Heartland. Critics Clayton Davis of Variety described the film as “universally resonant,” while Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter called it “poignant and humorous.”
