He's Better Than He Was in "The Whale": Why Critics Are Raving About Brendan Fraser's New Film "Rental Family"

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The comedy-drama has already become one of the year's most talked-about premieres.

It's sitting at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (as of September 9, 2025), and critics are unanimous: Brendan Fraser delivers a performance that might even surpass his Oscar-winning turn in "The Whale." The touching story, perfect balance of humor and drama, and genuine tenderness are what viewers and reviewers are calling the film's greatest strengths.

What the movie's about

The story centers on an American actor ( ) living in Tokyo. He gets recruited by a "rental family" agency. The job's simple: play relatives for people who don't have any. At first, he treats it like a side gig, but gradually realizes that other people's stories are changing him too. He bonds with clients, and fake roles transform into real attachment.
"Rental Family" movie trailer
The cast also includes Takehiro Hira ("Shogun"), Mari Yamamoto ("Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"), and Akira Emoto ("Umami").

What critics are saying

The Hollywood Reporter highlights "Fraser's subtle, nuanced performance, without which the film wouldn't pack such punch." Screen Rant writes that the film "poetically explores the nature of human emotions," while TheWrap emphasizes: "The material seems tailor-made to showcase Fraser as both actor and star."
This is a good film: it features music by Sigur Ros frontman (alongside Alex Somers), and ultimately delivers a heartbreaking story about empathy, isolation, and how we can all impact each other's lives.
IndieWire on "Rental Family"
There are some negative takes too: Variety calls the film "overly manipulative," while The Guardian says it's "missing a connecting thread."

But even these criticisms don't dampen the overall enthusiasm. For many, "Rental Family" has become "the perfect example of kind, humane drama that's so desperately needed today."

Why the film works

Surprisingly, "Rental Family" is the kind of movie that could've easily slipped into melodrama or another "tearjerker." Instead, director Hikari bet on subtle emotions, simple but authentic scenes, and Tokyo's atmosphere, where loneliness feels especially sharp.
Actor Brendan Fraser in a blue jacket rides in a subway car surrounded by people
"Rental Family" movie poster
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Fraser isn't playing a superhero or tragic figure, but a man who's finally learning to find joy in other people's lives. His character is awkward, lost, but that's exactly where the power lies: audiences see themselves in him.

What to expect

"Rental Family" hits theaters November 21. And while the film's already being criticized for excessive sentimentality, it looks set for a long festival run and warm audience reception.

Fraser has proven that his comeback after "The Whale" wasn't a fluke. If you're looking for a movie that makes you both laugh and cry, "Rental Family" promises to deliver exactly that experience. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered why critics loved the new film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — "The Crushing Machine."