Critics Have Seen Rental Family, And They Say Brendan Fraser Has ‘A Direct Line To Our Souls’ In New Dramedy

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Brendan Fraser won audiences over with his Oscar-winning role in The Whale when he returned to acting. Now, his incredible comeback continues with a new film, Rental Family, that promises to be deeply moving. Early reviews are coming in for the dramedy, which will be released on November 21, 2025.

Hikari, a well-known director, makes her first feature film in English with Rental Family. The movie stars Brendan Fraser as Phillip, an American actor in Tokyo who is hired to pose as a friend or family member for clients. Sarah El-Mahmoud from TopMob found the film deeply moving, and Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post agrees that it’s a great role for Fraser, giving the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. Oleksinski writes:

Rental Family is a beautiful and touching film that offers a refreshing look at Japan, showcasing its cities and landscapes instead of the typical tourist-filled scenes. I was surprised by the lead actor’s gentle and sensitive performance – it was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, especially considering his previous action-hero roles. He truly connects with the audience and portrays a deeply vulnerable character.

In a review for USA TODAY, Brian Truitt gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. He noted that the heartwarming and understanding nature of The Whale translates well to this new story, where the main character, Phillip, grows and develops meaningful relationships with the people he helps in Rental Family.

Following his powerful, Oscar-winning role in The Whale, Brendan Fraser brings a heartwarming and charming performance to Rental Family, a film by Japanese director Hikari. This delightful movie blends Eastern and Western storytelling to portray Japan’s unique ‘rental family’ service – where people hire actors to play family members for events or companionship – and thoughtfully examines themes of loneliness, self-discovery, and the bonds we create with those we choose as family.

In a review for IndieWire, David Ehrlich gave Rental Family a B-, noting that while the film touches on difficult human experiences, it doesn’t fully delve into them. He praises Brendan Fraser’s performance, saying it largely compensates for this lack of depth and effectively conveys the idea that sharing pain is healthier than suppressing it. Here’s more from his review:

Brendan Fraser delivers a performance in Rental Family where he seems to be constantly in pain, a pain he can’t hide. Even his smiles appear strained, and his expressions of discomfort feel deeply rooted, with the movie deliberately leaving the source of his suffering a mystery. Watching Fraser act, it’s hard not to think about the hardships he’s faced in his life and career, and this adds a powerful layer of meaning to his portrayal of an otherwise underdeveloped character.

Brendan Fraser’s performance brings a genuine warmth to the film, preventing it from becoming overly sentimental, according to AP film critic Jocelyn Noveck, who gave the movie 2.5 out of 4 stars. However, the film sometimes attempts to neatly resolve complex and questionable plot points, and this doesn’t always succeed, as Noveck points out.

Not every storyline quite hits the mark, and it’s hard to know what we’re meant to think about this idea of ‘renting’ a family. Sometimes, everyone gets what they need without anyone getting hurt, but other situations are more complicated. Ultimately, the show seems to suggest that real connection – something we all desire – can unexpectedly appear in strange circumstances, even in the blurry space between pretend and genuine relationships.

It’s impossible to satisfy everyone, and critic Alexander Mooney of Slant finds Rental Family overly polished and bland. He argues the film smooths over any potentially compelling or challenging aspects of its premise, resolving everything neatly instead of exploring them. According to Mooney:

This movie relies on making fun of its characters and doesn’t truly connect with the audience on an emotional level. Beyond its structural problems, the film also suffers from being overly focused on showcasing its leading actor. Despite attempts to portray the main character as an understanding and considerate observer, the movie ultimately adopts his viewpoint in a problematic way. The protagonist, Philip, is built on weakness and everyday sadness, seemingly designed to evoke sympathy.

While not everyone loves it, the movie Rental Family has received largely positive reviews, earning a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re interested in seeing the latest film from Brendan Fraser – part of his recent career comeback – Rental Family will be in theaters starting Friday, November 21st.

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2025-11-21 03:09