Inspired by Savannah: Rental Family, Now Available to Own on Digital (Review) #RentalFamily

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Journey to Japan and into the heart of human connection with Searchlight Pictures’ “Rental Family,” now available to own on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home

If Ella McCay was the chaotic, high-energy reflection of our daily juggling act, then Rental Family is the warm hug and the good cry we all need at the end of a long week. It also just dropped on Digital (January 13th!), and I’m telling you now, put the kids to bed early, grab a box of tissues, and get ready for Brendan Fraser to absolutely break and then mend your heart. The movie stars the internet's favorite human, Brendan Fraser, as Phillip, a struggling American actor living in Tokyo. He’s a bit of a lost soul until he gets a job at a "Rental Family" agency. No, it’s not as weird as it sounds! In Japan, these agencies actually exist and you can hire actors to play your husband at a wedding, your estranged father, or even just a group of friends to go to karaoke with so you don't look lonely. Phillip starts playing these roles, and what starts as a "token white guy" gig becomes deeply personal. The standout storyline? He’s hired by a single mom to play the father of her 11-year-old daughter, Mia, to help her get into a prestigious private school.

This isn't just an "indie movie in Japan. It’s a deep dive into what makes a family. As moms, we know that sometimes our "village" isn't our blood relatives; it’s the neighbors, the daycare teachers, and the best friends who show up. This movie celebrates chosen family in such a beautiful way. It asks: If someone shows up for you and loves you, does it matter if they were "assigned" to the role? There is something about Brendan Fraser’s face that just radiates "tired but trying," which is basically the official brand of motherhood. He plays Phillip with so much vulnerability and kindness. You’ll see yourself in his struggle to connect and his desperate hope to be "enough" for the people relying on him. Since most of us aren't jetting off to Tokyo anytime soon, the cinematography is a total treat. It shows a side of Japan that isn't just neon lights; it’s cozy apartments, quiet parks, and beautiful countrysides. It’s a 110-minute vacation.

The Verdict: Must-Watch (With Tissues)

Buy or Rent? Buy it. This is one of those movies you’ll want to revisit when you’re feeling a little lonely or disconnected. It’s rated PG-13 for some "adult" themes (nothing too crazy, just some suggestive moments and language), but it’s definitely a "Me Time" movie rather than a family movie night pick.

**Mom-to-Mom Tip: There is a scene involving a "goodbye" to the little girl, Mia, that absolutely wrecked me. If you’re feeling extra sensitive about your "babies" growing up, maybe save this for a night when you’re feeling strong!

Film Synopsis:

"Set in modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.

Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Materials*

Featurette: Rental Family Revealed — Go behind the scenes with Brendan Fraser, director HIKARI, and the Japanese cast as they explore friendship, culture, found family, and filming in Japan in this intimate look at the making of Rental Family.