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.
“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.”