November 21, 2025
Worthwhile — caution advised for young children.
Released
November 21, 2025
Director
Hikari
Cast
Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, and Shannon Gorman
Directed by Hikari, rated PG-13, released November 21, 2025. A struggling American actor in Tokyo joins a company that rents out pretend family members — and discovers how role-playing connection can open real doors to empathy, belonging, and hard moral questions.
Starring Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, and Shannon Gorman.
Beneath its high-concept premise is a deep meditation on loneliness and the lengths people go to feel seen. It asks how we can offer kindness — even imperfectly — in a world that struggles to ask for help.
Critical response is solid (89% Tomatometer), and audience scores sit at 86% Popcornmeter. IMDb users rate it about 7.5/10.
Pair the scores with the MovieGuide content breakdown and the source reviews linked on this page to decide if it fits your night in.
Beneath its high-concept premise is a deep meditation on loneliness and the lengths people go to feel seen. It asks how we can offer kindness — even imperfectly — in a world that struggles to ask for help.
Summaries based on each site's scores and typical coverage — open the source for full reviews.
Family content & quality
Entertainment quality ★★★★ (4/4). Family content +1 — worthwhile with caution for young children. Expect an uplifting or heartfelt core with moderate elements—peril, mild language, or thematic notes—worth previewing for younger kids.
Critics & audience
Critics land at a fresh 89% Tomatometer, with most recommending it for performances, pacing, or thematic ambition. Audiences largely leave satisfied (86% Popcornmeter). Open the full page for critic and audience quotes.
User scores & reviews
Users place it around 7.5/10, reflecting strong broad-audience regard. Reviews there usually dig into performances, emotional payoff, pacing, and genre expectations—a useful counterweight to professional critics. Open the score above to read the full conversation.
Watch the official trailer for Rental Family
Find on YouTube
