Boxing Day films have never really been that high on my watch list over the years. Sure, you have stupid but fun films like Anaconda, but nothing that would usually shoot up into my top ten. However, 2025 was different because I watched Rental Family, and it was easily one of the best things I watched that year. Directed by Hikari and starring Brendan Fraser, Rental Family was a film that I had my eye on due to Fraser’s involvement, but I couldn’t have imagined how much I would adore this film. But before I get ahead of myself anymore, let me tell you why Rental Family was one of the best films of 2025.
Phillip is a struggling actor in Tokyo, Japan. He spends his days going to and from numerous auditions, being kept financially afloat by minor roles and his success in a toothpaste advertisement seven years ago. But his life is changed when he is scouted by a company called Rental Family. The company is run by Shinji and hires out people to play roles in clients' lives, such as partners, parents, journalists, or anything that a client wants. Phillip is apprehensive about joining as he finds this type of work morally questionable, but after realising that he needs the work, he joins the company as their token white guy. Now playing roles with real-life impact, will Phillip find purpose in this absurd situation, or will he cause more harm than good?
At its core, the story of Rental Family is one about loneliness and finding connection, and it excels in delivering that message. Phillip is basically isolated in Tokyo, being the only white guy we see throughout the story. It emphasises how out of place he must feel, even though he’s been living there for years. So when he gets the opportunity (as outlandish as it is) to help people who also feel the same way, it’s incredible to watch unfold. The time he spends as a father to a young girl and as a journalist for a retired actor suffering from dementia tug at your heartstrings (with some moments hitting real close to home).
It’s not just Phillip’s story that emphasises these core parts of the film, but the rest of the cast as well. Aiko is constantly getting hired to play the cheating girlfriend, resulting in some less-than-desirable outcomes, yet she does it anyway in an attempt to make people happy (even if they 100% don’t deserve it). And then there’s Shinji, whose story I won’t spoil here as the reveal had me shook, but suffice to say, his story adds way more context to his company and the film.
This made me feel all of the emotions and led me (and my friends I went with) to shed tears in the cinema, with each of us leaking for different parts of the film. But the film's ability to have those sad moments, then bounce back with a joke or an uplifting situation, makes this the most complete story I’ve experienced in films in 2025.
I didn’t know much about this film before heading into the cinema. The reason I wanted to watch it was that it had Brendan Fraser in it, and I like the guy. So I was very happy that not only was the film itself great, but Fraser’s performance was phenomenal. His portrayal of Phillip had me engaged from the moment he appeared on screen, and he nailed the fish-out-of-water vibe I imagine most foreigners living in Japan feel. I also loved how he changes throughout the film thanks to his interactions with his clients. And while it did have some depressing moments, his arc leaves you feeling hopeful by the end.
Takehiro Hira as Shinji was a mysterious character I couldn’t quite figure out for the first half of the film, and Hira’s performance did an incredible job of keeping Shinji’s professional mask up at all times. Mari Yamamoto as Aiko was the biggest surprise for me, performance-wise, as while her she seemed a bit one-note at first, it quickly evolves into an engaging story about people-pleasing and knowing when to do the right thing despite the consequences.
The clients are just as important to the story as the main cast, with two in particular being standouts. Shannon Mahina Gorman as Mia was an unexpectedly great child performance, which I very much appreciated. Her banter with Fraser and Mia's gradual opening up to Phillip over the course of the film are heartwarming (even if he isn’t her real dad).
The performance that hit me the most in the feels, though, was Akira Emoto as Kikuo for a few reasons. The first is that he was just a funny old guy, and I enjoyed his relationship with Phillip. But the main reason is that I could see my own grandparents in this character, especially in the dementia aspect. What Emoto displays as Kikuo fears losing his memories is heartbreaking, like when he suddenly gets confused and Phillip has to guide him back home. It was hard to watch as someone who’s had to deal with a similar situation, but in a way, it made me appreciate Emoto’s performance all the more.
For having a relatively small budget, Rental Family is masterfully shot. Every scene throughout the film is deliberate, with no wasted time or space. I loved how it felt like I was watching a documentary about these people’s lives rather than a film, which added a great sense of realism to the story. I also loved how the film highlights the city of Tokyo as a major character, with its skyscrapers and cramped streets adding to the feeling of loneliness Phillip (and, by extension, the audience) experiences in the first half of the film. And then, when the story takes Phillip to a coastal town with one of his clients, you can feel his joy at truly connecting with someone, and the cinematography accentuates it.
Ultimately, every aspect of Rental Family conveys the feelings of loneliness and connection that Hikari set out to achieve. I spent a while trying to figure out any critique I had of this film, but even after all this time thinking, I haven’t been able to come up with anything substantial. The story hits you in all the right ways, the cast is fantastic, and every shot could be a piece of art on a wall. I loved everything about this film, and despite its late 2025 release, it’s easily one of my favourite films of last year.
Have you seen Rental Family? What did you think? Did you connect with the story? Let us know in the comments where we can talk about Brendan Fraser’s resurgence.
