The comedy film starring Brendan Fraser, titled Rental Family, has been selected for the prestigious American Express Gala at the upcoming London Film Festival.
This film will be showcased at the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre on Thursday, October 16th. Director Hikari, along with the film’s leading star, Brendan Fraser, are scheduled to be present.
Hikari, who also directed Beef, both directed and co-wrote Rental Family. The film features a cast that includes Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto. Set against the backdrop of modern Tokyo, it tells the story of an American actor, played by Fraser, who becomes involved with a Japanese agency that provides “rental families” to its clients. Through his interactions and experiences portraying various roles for strangers, he starts to develop true connections, leading to a poignant exploration of identity and human relationships. This journey helps him find a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the subtle connections between people.
The production team behind Rental Family includes Eddie Vaisman, Julie Lebedev from Sight Unseen, Hikari, and Shin Yamaguchi. The UK theatrical release is managed by Searchlight and is set for January 2026.
Kristy Matheson, the Director of the BFI London Film Festival, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Hikari’s latest film to the festival lineup. She noted, “After the success of 37 Seconds and the dynamic Beef, we are thrilled to showcase Hikari’s new comedy-drama Rental Family at our American Express Gala.” She added, “Brendan Fraser delivers a compelling lead performance that will undoubtedly captivate the audience, as the film delves into the intricacies of human connections with both humor and profound insight.”
The complete schedule for the London Film Festival will be unveiled on September 3rd.
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