Dir: Hikari | Japan, USA | 2025 | 110 mins

Cast | Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, Akira Emoto

 

Oscar nominee Brendan Fraser (The Whale) plays an American adrift in Japan in this sweet-natured comedy drama.

Searching for acting work, Phillip (Fraser) lands an unusual gig with a Japanese agency: playing stand-in family members and friends for strangers. He’s the company’s ‘token white guy’. While initially, he finds the idea of the work absurd, Phillip eventually immerses himself in his clients' worlds, forming genuine bonds that start to blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of connection.

An ideal role of a performer of Fraser’s deep sensitivity, Rental Family explores identity, loneliness and what it means to be human.

 

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION FOR THIS FILM:

WATCHWORD - a discreet closed-captioning system, ensuring that only those wearing supplied smart glasses can see the captions. These glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and around cochlear implants. Users can alter the size, colour, brightness, position and focus to their personal preference. 

AUDIO DESCRIPTION - a recorded narration describes visual elements of the film - in gaps in the dialogue - through personal headphones. The film soundtrack is broadcast to cinema speakers in the usual way. The volume of each ear can be altered independently by the user. 

HARD OF HEARING - using our wireless headphones, the film soundtrack is broadcast direct to the user who can control the volume of each ear independently. This is also perfect for anyone sensitive to loud noises.

If you would like to book ahead for any of our accessibility equipment, please call our admin line on 01780 480846.