Brendan Fraser in Rental Family Searchlight Pictures Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment The U.K. premiere of Searchlight Pictures' Rental Family will take place at the 69th BFI London Film Festival, running Oct. 8-19, in partnership with American Express. The gala screening on Thursday, Oct. 16, is expected to bring director Hikari (37 Seconds, Beef) and star Brendan Fraser to the British capital. Directed and co-written by Hikari, Rental Family also stars Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto. Set in modern-day Tokyo, the film follows an American actor (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. Related Stories Movies Oldenburg Fest to Honor Music Producer and 'Electra Glide in Blue' Director James William Guercio Movies 'Yakushima's Illusion': Naomi Kawase, Vicky Krieps on Exploring Human Connections and Heart "As he immerses himself in his clients' worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality," reads a synopsis. "Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection." Rental Family, set for a U.K. theatrical release in January 2026, was produced by Eddie Vaisman, Julie Lebedev, Hikari, and Shin Yamaguchi. "I feel so humbled and honored to return to the 2025 BFI London Film Festival with my second feature, Rental Family, and with a gala presentation!" said Hikari. "While it's inspired by a real, and sometimes unusual, business in Japan, it's ultimately about people longing for connection, and discovering the meaning of true friendship in modern Tokyo. I hope Rental Family offers a bit of escapism to Japan and a few laughs!" Said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival director: "Following the acclaimed 37 Seconds and the subversive, roller coaster ride of Beef, we are excited to bring writer-director Hikari's latest comedy-drama Rental Family to the BFI London Film Festival as our American Express Gala. Brendan Fraser is set to steal movie fans' hearts once more with his stunning central performance in a film that explores the complexity of human relations with huge generosity and wit." THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Oldenburg Film Festival Oldenburg Fest to Honor Music Producer and 'Electra Glide in Blue' Director James William Guercio The Umbrella Academy 'Red Sonja' Review: The Bikini-Clad Warrior Is Back in a New Version That's a Deadly Blend of Cheesy and Dull Vicky Krieps 'Yakushima's Illusion': Naomi Kawase, Vicky Krieps on Exploring Human Connections and Heart Materialists 'Materialists' Director Celine Song Says It's "Very Cruel" to Call Film "Broke Man Propaganda" Salt Angelina Jolie, Doug Liman Team for Spy Thriller 'The Initiative' (Exclusive) Heat Vision 'Weapons' Prequel on the Table as Zach Cregger Mulls Future (Exclusive) Oldenburg Film Festival Oldenburg Fest to Honor Music Producer and 'Electra Glide in Blue' Director James William Guercio The Umbrella Academy 'Red Sonja' Review: The Bikini-Clad Warrior Is Back in a New Version That's a Deadly Blend of Cheesy and Dull Vicky Krieps 'Yakushima's Illusion': Naomi Kawase, Vicky Krieps on Exploring Human Connections and Heart Materialists 'Materialists' Director Celine Song Says It's "Very Cruel" to Call Film "Broke Man Propaganda" Salt Angelina Jolie, Doug Liman Team for Spy Thriller 'The Initiative' (Exclusive) Heat Vision 'Weapons' Prequel on the Table as Zach Cregger Mulls Future (Exclusive)