Searchlight Pictures has announced the early 2025 home release details for Hikari's heartwarming dramedy, "Rental Family," starring the beloved Brendan Fraser. Audiences can begin connecting with the film outside of theaters through digital platforms starting January 13, 2025, with a physical Blu-ray release to follow on February 17, 2025. Hailed as one of the more low-key gems of 2025, this acclaimed feature offers a chance to start the year on a positive note, complete with new special features and a performance by Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser that has been lauded as among his best and most moving. While the film had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, its official theatrical release date is set for November 21, 2025, demonstrating an unconventional release strategy.

In "Rental Family," Brendan Fraser takes on one of his most stripped-down and relatable roles as Phillip Vanderploeg, a washed-up American actor residing in Tokyo. After experiencing fleeting success advertising toothpaste in Japan, Phillip finds himself adrift and lacking purpose in society. However, an unexpected opportunity arises when he is offered a position at a unique "rental family" agency as their "token white guy." This new role tasks him with embodying important figures in people's lives, whether as a husband, a father, or simply a friend, providing customers with much-needed connection.

As Phillip delves deeper into his new occupation, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Although initially intended as a mere act to fill emotional voids for clients, Phillip becomes genuinely invested in the lives of those he works with. He discovers this is precisely where he belongs, but his inherent humanity and empathetic heart lead to complications when he decides to deviate from the script, choosing to do what he believes is truly best for his clients.

This latest Japan-set role for Fraser marks a significant return since he officially completed his comeback tour in 2023, culminating in an Oscar win for Best Actor in Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale." Following its premiere, critics were buzzing about the possibility of Fraser contending for another Academy Award for his "Rental Family" performance. However, the 2025 awards season proved to be exceptionally stacked, featuring powerhouse performances from actors such as Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme," Leonardo DiCaprio in "One Battle After Another," and Michael B. Jordan in "Sinners," among others.

Nonetheless, "Rental Family" garnered significant critical acclaim, earning a Certified Fresh 88% from critics and a Verified Hot 96% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Ross Bonaime also praised the film with a 7/10 rating, describing it as "a satisfying, touching, and ultimately emotional film with sweet performances and quiet drama."

Beyond Fraser, the cast of "Rental Family" features talented actors including Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and Akira Emoto. Director Hikari also served as a producer alongside Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, and Shin Yamaguchi, with Stephen Blahut credited as a writer. The film has a runtime of 103 minutes and falls under the genres of Drama and Comedy.

The upcoming home release will offer viewers an intimate look behind the scenes of this heartfelt project. Special features include a new featurette titled "Rental Family Revealed," which includes interviews with Brendan Fraser, director Hikari, and the Japanese cast. This featurette explores themes of found family, cultural differences, and the experience of filming in Japan. Additionally, both the digital and Blu-ray releases will include nine deleted or extended scenes, providing deeper context and extra content for collectors and fans.