Ryuichi Ichinokawa's life could be right out of the movie “Rental Family” as the founder nearly two decades ago of the Heart Project business in Japan, which he bills as a surrogate attendance service complete with furnishing of extras and family members.

But the “rent-a-family” industry is a real phenomenon in Japan. Their actors portray friends, spouses, family members, and other types of people. In the press notes, the director says that there are “about 300 companies that exist in Japan” right now.

Brendan Fraser stars in Hikari’s Rental Family, a heartfelt Tokyo-based drama-comedy hitting U.S. theatres on November 21, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know

Brendan Fraser is endearing in Japanese director Hikari's second feature, but it tries too hard to tug at our heartstrings.

Brendan Fraser reflects on his childhood and praises Shannon Gorman’s raw talent and fiery spirit in new film “Rental Family.”