‘Rental Family’ Offers a Glimpse into Japan’s Unique Rental Service Industry
Searchlight Pictures’ Rental Family, released November 21, 2025, explores the burgeoning world of “rental family” agencies in Japan, offering a poignant look at human connection and the search for belonging. Starring Brendan Fraser, Shannon Gorman, Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, and Akira Emoto, the film was intentionally shot on location in Tokyo and surrounding areas to capture the authenticity of Japanese culture.
Authenticity Through Location
Director Hikari emphasized the importance of filming in Japan to accurately portray the culture. “Although many have visited Tokyo, I wanted to delve deeper,” Hikari told On The Red Carpet. “It was essential to truly portray our culture.” The production team scouted and utilized several iconic Tokyo locations, integrating them into the narrative.
Sumida Riverwalk and Cat Festival
Scenes featuring Fraser’s character, Phillip, were filmed along the Sumida Riverwalk. The film also incorporates a vibrant cat festival, filmed on the streets of Tokyo, where Phillip and Gorman’s character, Mia, interact. Hikari aimed to capture the everyday experience of living in Tokyo, stating, “I wanted viewers to sense the essence of the city as people live and breathe it. Tokyo is immense, and finding spots that resonate globally was key to the experience.”
teamLab Borderless: A Symbolic Setting
A particularly striking location was teamLab Borderless, a digital art museum in the Azabudai Hills district of Tokyo. Fraser and Gorman filmed in the museum’s sketch ocean room. Gorman described the space as “such a cool space,” noting that even as a resident of Japan, she had never visited before filming. She praised the museum’s atmosphere, saying, “It’s different atmosphere, each room. And sometimes it could be really beautiful.”
Fraser added that the location perfectly mirrored the characters’ emotional states: “It’s a perfect location that represents their relationship at that point in the story because Phillip’s trying so hard and he’s confused. And Mia is wondering, really, who is this guy? It’s a perfect setting for an expression of the inner lives that those two characters are feeling in an atmosphere around them that’s blooming and beautiful and changing and unique.” Yamamoto and Hira also expressed excitement about the museum, describing it as a place where adults could reconnect with their inner child.
Asakusa/Sometaro: A Taste of Tradition
The film also features a pivotal scene filmed at Asakusa/Sometaro, a historic okonomiyaki restaurant in Tokyo, over 100 years old and considered the oldest of its kind. Hikari, originally from Osaka, explained that okonomiyaki originated in the western region of Japan, and the location served to blend eastern and western cultural elements. Fraser remarked that the restaurant’s owner embodied the spirit of the character played by Akira Emoto, stating, “If Akira Emoto-san was a restaurant he would be that restaurant! They’re all characters in a play for a very specific reason.”
Themes of Connection and Purpose
Rental Family explores themes of hope, heart, and the fundamental human need for connection. The film provided Brendan Fraser with an opportunity to fulfill a long-held aspiration of filming in Japan, a country he has always admired for its welcoming and enthusiastic approach to filmmaking. The cast members bonded quickly, enjoying their shared experience of immersing themselves in Japanese culture.
“We just enjoyed, aside from function, you know, we experienced the whole journey together,” said Hira. Yamamoto added, “We just felt like we experienced the beauty of Japan in all like the two, three months that we were here.”
Where to Watch
Rental Family is currently streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.