From HIKARI, the acclaimed director of the Netflix series BEEF (2023), starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, comes RENTAL FAMILY, a visually striking Japanese film that explores the modern concept of family through a professional “rental family” service. This intimate and thought-provoking story examines human connection, belonging, and the inventive ways people navigate loneliness, offering a deeply introspective perspective that contrasts with HIKARI’s fast-paced comedy work.
This film screening celebrates contemporary Japanese storytelling and its cross-cultural resonance, highlighting HIKARI’s versatility as a filmmaker. She transitions from the dark comedy and fast-paced storytelling of BEEF to a culturally nuanced, intimate Japanese narrative with RENTAL FAMILY, marking a return to her roots in Japanese filmmaking. The film offers a deeply introspective perspective that bridges personal experience and broader cultural narratives, inviting audiences to reflect on universal themes of identity, empathy, and the bonds that shape our lives—demonstrating how contemporary Japanese cinema resonates across cultures.
Following the screening, join a live discussion with HIKARI to gain insight into her artistic vision, narrative choices, and approach to global filmmaking. RENTAL FAMILY bridges tradition and modernity, personal experience and shared understanding, exemplifying the power of contemporary Japanese cinema to connect audiences worldwide.
Discover inspiring voices, from master filmmakers to emerging talent, and enjoy 20% off Japanese films, including RENTAL FAMILY, using code DragonAAFI2025.
About the Film | “RENTAL FAMILY” (2025)
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Academy Award® winner Brendan Fraser is Philip, an American down on his luck and unable to find meaningful work as an actor in Tokyo, landing only bit parts in commercials and TV shows. That is, until the owner of a “rental family” agency offers him an unusual gig: serve as a stand-in for clients who need help with various challenges in their lives. Reluctant at first, Philip proves a natural; whether it be as a journalist interviewing a retired actor who longs for his glory days or as an absentee father reconnecting with his young daughter at the behest of her mother, he finds himself reenergized with purpose in his own life. However, as the bonds between Philip and his clients deepen, reality creeps in as he discovers that every role has its end. The second feature from Japanese filmmaker HIKARI (BEEF) is a tender, funny and morally complex exploration of human connection and the urge to find meaning in our lives. Fraser turns in a winning performance, imbuing his bumbling character with sincerity, humor and huge amounts of empathy, alongside an equally stellar supporting ensemble that includes Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman and Akira Emoto. –Javier Chavez
Country: USA, Japan
Year: 2025
Running Time: 110 min.
Language: English
Director: HIKARI
Screenwriters: HIKARI, Stephen Blahut
Producers: Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, HIKARI, Shin Yamaguchi
Executive Producers: Jennifer Semler, Tomo Koizumi, Stephen Blahut, Leonid Lebedev, Brendan Fraser, Oren Moverman
Director of Photography: Takuro Ishizaka
Editors: Alan Baumgarten, Thomas A. Krueger
Production Designers: Norihiro Isoda, Masako Takayama
Costume Designer: Meg Mochizuki
Music: Jónsi, Alex Somers
Cast/Featuring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, Akira Emoto
About the Director | HIKARI
HIKARI is an award-winning writer, director and producer. Her debut feature 37 SECONDS premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and won accolades globally. She has directed episodes of the Emmy®-winning series BEEF, as well as TOKYO VICE and acclaimed shorts like TSUYAKO. HIKARI is developing several new projects.
Material Credit: Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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