Just Watched the 'Rental Family' Trailer — Fraser Might Break Us Again (In a Good Way)
An unexpected blend of heartache, humor, and Tokyo vibes.
Having kept an eye on Fraser’s post-Whale choices, I was especially curious about Rental Family. The trailer just confirmed what I’d hoped: this one might hit hard in all the right ways.
Set in Tokyo, the film follows a washed-up American actor, played by Fraser, who takes on a strange but very real job — being a rented family member for people in need of emotional connection (Yes, that’s a real service in Japan). What begins as an odd gig slowly becomes something more intimate and honest.
Rental Family is directed by Hikari, known for her work on Beef, and this marks her second feature — and most ambitious to date. Set to premiere at TIFF and release on 21 November, the film lands squarely in awards season.Not bad for a low-key dramedy with heart.
Tonally, it’s already being compared to The Holdovers and Little Miss Sunshine — which says a lot, I guess. If you're drawn to character-driven stories with humour, melancholy, and a tender emotional core, this might be one to watch closely.
And with Rental Family, it feels like Fraser deepening his comeback. The role seems quiet, strange, and full of emotional potential.
