Brendan Fraser & Takehiro Hira On Rental Family’s Theme Of Connection

by

Brendan Fraser returns with a heartfelt performance in Rental Family, and he and co-star Takehiro Hira share what the film is really about. Directed by Hikari, who also made 37 Seconds, the movie follows Phillip Vandarploeug, an American actor in Japan searching for success and meaning in his life. He unexpectedly finds a new opportunity working for a unique agency where people are hired to act as temporary family members for others.

I’m so excited about this film, Rental Family! Brendan Fraser is already getting Oscar buzz, and the supporting cast is fantastic – Takehiro Hira, who I loved in Shogun, plays the agency owner, and Mari Yamamoto from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is also incredible. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been getting amazing reviews. It actually had a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for months, and it’s still holding strong at 89%! I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

With the wider release of the movie, Ash Crossan from ScreenRant spoke with Brendan Fraser and Takehiro Hira about their work. When asked about a previous statement where Fraser admitted he wasn’t sure how his acting helped others, and whether he realized his films have helped people, Fraser responded that movies do help people, and that actors aim to inspire and offer new perspectives.

As a film buff, I was really struck by what the Oscar winner said about Rental Family. They highlighted how the movie sparks so much discussion – people leave with all sorts of interpretations! But ultimately, the core feeling it leaves you with is a surprisingly hopeful one – it just makes you feel a little bit better, you know?

Brendan Fraser suggests the film explores the importance of family – whether by blood or through chosen connections – and how understanding those relationships can be a journey of self-discovery. He describes the movie’s setting as existing in a space between reality and imagination.

Hira agreed with Fraser, referencing a moment in the film where Phillip is simply seen sitting and looking out the window of his Tokyo apartment. This scene actually made the Emmy-nominated actor cry. He admitted he wasn’t sure why it moved him so much, but explained it reminded him of his own experience as a foreign student in the United States and the feeling of isolation that came with it.

This led Fraser to discuss a central idea in Rental Family: the growing problem of loneliness, which isn’t limited to Tokyo, the film’s location, but exists worldwide. He emphasized the surprising concept of feeling alone even in a crowded city and the human need for genuine connection, explaining that this is precisely why a service like the one depicted in the movie – a rental family agency – would exist.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Rental Family coverage with:

  • Our Rental Family Review
  • Our other favorite movies that premiered at TIFF 2025

Read More

2025-11-22 00:30