While filming the new movie Rental Family, School Ties star Brendan Fraser had a powerful experience that stayed with him long after the cameras stopped rolling. The Oscar-winning actor recently shared that living and filming in Tokyo helped him understand how loneliness can exist even in very busy cities.
In Rental Family, Fraser plays Phillip, an American man living in Japan. Phillip works in small TV commercials, but his career is not going anywhere. His life changes when he gets a job at a real-life “rental family” agency. These agencies allow people to pay actors to pretend to be their family members or friends, mainly so they don’t feel alone.
As per Straits Times, speaking at a Los Angeles screening of the film, Brendan Fraser explained that Tokyo is full of energy, people, lights, and movement. Still, he noticed something surprising.
He said that even though the city never seems to stop, many people feel deeply alone. According to Fraser, loneliness there felt almost like an “epidemic.” This feeling helped him connect better with his character, who is also searching for purpose and human connection.
Phillip’s journey in the movie shows how simple companionship, even when paid for, can still bring comfort and meaning.
Brendan Fraser said the story touched him because it talks about a basic human need—the need to feel seen and cared for. He explained that even temporary or “substitute” relationships can still help people heal.
The movie is written and directed by Hikari, who wanted to explore why rental family services exist in Japan. The idea came from her co-writer, who lived in Japan and learned that these services are used by elderly people, lonely adults, and those who don’t want to burden their real families.
Actress Mari Yamamoto, who also stars in the film, shared that in Japan, people often avoid sharing their problems because they don’t want to trouble others. This is why rental family services can feel safer for some.
During research, the team heard real stories, including one about an elderly woman who hired help just to have someone talk to her. These stories shaped the heart of the movie.
Rental Family opens in Singapore cinemas on January 22 and will release in other regions soon. This news is based on comments shared during the film’s public screening and reported by The Straits Times.
Rental Family is not just a movie—it is a gentle reminder that everyone needs connection, even in the busiest places on Earth.