Watching Rental Family Had A Deep Emotional Impact On Me, And Brendan Fraser And Co. Told Me Why They Felt The Same Way Making It

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I’ve been impressed with several movies coming out in 2025, but Rental Family this weekend has quickly become one of my favorites this year. It’s the newest film to benefit from the renewed attention on Brendan Fraser after his 2023 Oscar win for The Whale, and its impactful message has stayed with me since I saw it a month ago. The cast of Rental Family recently shared with TopMob how much this project means to their careers.

I’ve Seen Rental Family, And It Meant A Lot To Me

The film stars Fraser as Philip, a down-on-his-luck actor in Tokyo. He takes a unique job with a service that provides “rental families” – essentially, he’s hired to act as a family member for people who need one. Interestingly, this is a real service available in Japan!

The movie centers around two storylines: one where a man reconnects with the daughter he never knew, and another where he poses as a journalist profiling a former actor. While Rental Family has been receiving good reviews, I was surprised by how deeply moving and emotionally impactful it turned out to be.

I could share a lot of details, but without spoiling anything, the story really emphasizes how imagination and fabricated experiences can be just as valuable as reality and our everyday lives. Watching Philip support his clients showed me how helpful it can be to have someone to lean on and work through difficult times – things they might not otherwise address. While I wouldn’t personally use a ‘rental family’ service, it made me think about the emotional power of movies and television.

I’ve often turned to art and media when feeling lonely, and the film Rental Family really resonated with me because it showed characters struggling with the same thing. It makes sense to me that a service like this could appeal to people, given how disconnected we often feel today. What surprised me, though, was how much the person providing the service also gained from it. Ultimately, the film highlights a simple truth: we all need human connection, and it’s difficult when society doesn’t prioritize it.

What The Rental Family Cast Told Me About What It Means To Them

I shared a line from the film Rental Family with the movie’s cast that really resonated with how I felt about their work: “I’m just an actor. I don’t know how to help people.” I used it when asking them about how they felt seeing their films affect audiences. Brendan Fraser then enthusiastically explained the personal meaning of his latest project.

People are really responding to this movie. It’s unique, and viewers feel a strong connection to the story, mirroring how the characters in the film connect with each other.

Mari Yamamoto, known for her roles in the Apple TV+ hits Pachinko and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, plays a member of the family who provide rental companions. She recently described her feelings about being involved in the film.

I read the script shortly after my father passed away, and it deeply affected me, offering a sense of hope during a difficult time. Since finishing the project, I’ve had moving conversations with viewers, especially those who’ve experienced loss themselves. They’ve shared how much the story resonates with them, and that means a lot to me, because that’s exactly how I felt when I first read it. Knowing it’s offering that same hope to others is incredibly rewarding.

Takehiro Hira, well-known for his role in the popular series Shogun, also shared his thoughts, stating:

Honestly, I don’t set out to help anyone with my work, but seeing how much this project has connected with people is incredible. It’s just amazing to think about the impact it’s had – it’s really resonated with so many different folks, and that’s just a great feeling.

I’m really excited about seeing “Rental Family”! It seems like such a heartwarming movie, but what I’ve heard is it’s also surprisingly touching. It really explores how lonely people can feel these days, and how important it is to connect with others. I’m planning to go see it in theaters this Friday, November 21st – I can’t wait!

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2025-11-20 06:08