Brendan Fraser’s Incredible Performance In Emotional Drama Rental Family

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Many millennials fondly remember Brendan Fraser from films like The Mummy and George of the Jungle. It was disappointing to see him absent from screens for much of the 2010s, and it appeared his career had stalled. However, the 2020s have brought a major comeback for Fraser.

For a while, Brendan Fraser wasn’t appearing in many movies or TV shows. He had small roles in series like Doom Patrol and The Affair, and was also caught up in a legal issue with the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Luckily, he didn’t give up acting.

Brendan Fraser officially returned to prominence with his 2022 film, The Whale, where his incredible performance won him an Academy Award. However, many believe he delivers an even more powerful performance in the 2025 emotional drama, Rental Family.

Brendan Fraser Is Incredible In Rental Family

Rental Family has a truly unique concept. The movie centers on Phillip Vanderploeg, an American actor in Tokyo who is down on his luck. He finds work by pretending to be different people – a friend, a husband, even a father – in the everyday lives of others.

The film follows two connected stories. In one, Phillip plays a reporter who interviews a fading movie star with dementia, hoping to bring back his memories. In the other, he’s a father figure helping his young, half-Japanese daughter gain admission to a better school. Both storylines are deeply emotional, and Fraser delivers powerful performances in them.

I have to say, Brendan Fraser just radiates warmth, and it’s all over the screen in Rental Family. You genuinely find yourself rooting for him in every single scene. But what really struck me was his connection with Kikuo Hasegawa, who plays a man with dementia. Their friendship feels so authentic and heartwarming, and it’s genuinely touching to watch them find joy and connection amidst a difficult situation. It’s a beautiful, endearing relationship that really anchors the film.

The story involving young Mia Kawasaki is especially heartwarming. Fraser delivers a fantastic performance in every scene with her, truly embodying a father figure. He flawlessly portrays a range of emotions – from the pain of leaving Mia, to worry for his colleagues, and his own personal growth. Fraser’s performance is consistently excellent.

Early in the story, there’s a touching moment where his character pretends to be someone’s husband, initially worried about the deception. He soon discovers the woman created the story to protect her relationship with her partner from her family, allowing them to live openly and happily. Fraser handles this delicate scene with remarkable skill and nuance.

Rental Family Is Fantastic Beyond Fraser’s Performance

A major difference between The Whale and Rental Family lies in how critics reacted to them. Although Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, and Hong Chau all received praise for their performances in The Whale, the film itself was generally seen as weak and sparked controversy, earning it a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Unlike some recent films, Rental Family has received a lot of positive attention. The movie is more than just great acting from Brendan Fraser and the rest of the cast; it’s a beautifully written and directed story with genuine emotion. Young Shannon Mahina Gorman gives a standout performance as Mia, and Akira Emoto and Mari Yamamoto are also excellent.

Though it didn’t receive any Academy Award nominations, the film Rental Family is critically acclaimed, boasting an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and appearing on numerous “best of the year” lists. Many people missed it, but watching it is likely to change your mind and show you why it’s so well-regarded.

Even after winning an Oscar, Brendan Fraser delivered another incredible performance in Rental Family, widely considered one of the year’s best films of 2025.

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2026-03-05 22:19