Brendan Fraser has described his new film Rental Family as a project that “ticks all the boxes” of what he seeks in a role. The American-Canadian actor, 56, stars as Phillip Vanderploeg, an American living in Japan who becomes involved in a rental family service — a business where actors play temporary family roles in people’s lives.
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Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, Fraser shared his enthusiasm for the experience, noting the opportunity to work with an entirely Japanese cast and crew. “This is a Japanese film, Japanese crew, Japanese actors — I’m the odd man out,” he said. “It was a dream opportunity to work in Tokyo for four months.” He also praised newcomer Shannon Gorman, who plays Mia Kawasaki, saying her performance captured “lightning in a bottle.”
Directed by Hikari, Rental Family also stars Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto and Akira Emoto, and is set for UK release in January 2026. Fraser said his character is “a foreigner in a foreign land” who has left Western society behind in search of something more meaningful. However, he discovers that despite being surrounded by people, he still feels isolated.
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Reflecting on the film’s themes, Fraser noted that loneliness is a universal experience, particularly among the elderly. He explained that rental family services provide comfort for those who feel abandoned or disconnected. “It does them good to sit down with someone, even if it’s not really their daughter,” he said. “These business models exist in Tokyo and Los Angeles, and they serve a purpose — to take the prickly edges off life.”
