Family Romance, LLC

Family Romance, LLC

Year: 2020

Runtime: 89 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Werner Herzog

Drama

A young girl yearning for a father figure turns to a peculiar company that specializes in fulfilling such desires. Family Romance, LLC provides actors to simulate familial relationships, and a man is hired to portray the role of a missing father. As he assumes this unexpected role, the boundaries between acting and genuine connection become increasingly blurred, exploring the complexities of fabricated relationships and the human need for belonging.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Family Romance, LLC yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Family Romance, LLC (2020)

Trace every key event in Family Romance, LLC (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction to Family Romance

Yuichi Ishii runs a unique rental family service named Family Romance. This agency provides individuals who temporarily fill social roles such as husbands, friends, or family members for people seeking companionship.

2

Contract with Mahiro

Yuichi begins fulfilling a contract where he pretends to be the father of 12-year-old Mahiro. Despite her initial shyness and uncertainty towards him, he slowly starts to earn her trust.

3

Building Trust

As Yuichi continues to interact with Mahiro, their relationship deepens, and she begins to open up to him. Mahiro’s mother grows curious about their conversations and what Mahiro is expressing.

4

Guarding Secrets

Yuichi becomes protective of Mahiro and her secrets, advocating for her freedom in various aspects of her life. He navigates the delicate dynamics of their contract and his growing attachment to her.

5

Maintaining the Business

In addition to his time with Mahiro, Yuichi actively manages his rental business. He takes on various jobs without judgment, showcasing his commitment to fulfilling the needs of his clients.

6

Reflections on Life

During his work, Yuichi visits a hotel staffed by robots, prompting him to ponder the differences between reality and artifice. His experiences push him to reflect on his life choices and the nature of his existence.

7

Disturbing Dreams

Yuichi confides in a friend about the troubling dreams he has been experiencing. His dreams involve actors portraying samurai committing ritual suicide, leading him to question deeper truths about his life and the characters he portrays.

8

Visit to the Oracle

Yuichi joins Mahiro’s mother on a trip to visit an oracle, where they discuss their lives and relationships. Throughout the trip, Mahiro’s mother expresses gratitude for Yuichi's friendship, which makes him feel uneasy.

9

Confronting Reality

After the trip, Yuichi visits a funeral home to inquire about hiring actors to portray deceased loved ones. This visit symbolizes his growing contemplation of life, death, and the roles people play in each other’s lives.

10

Mahiro's Confession

During a heartfelt visit, Mahiro confesses her love for Yuichi and expresses her desire to spend more time as his daughter. However, Yuichi feels overwhelmed by the seriousness of their relationship, compelling him to reconsider their contract.

11

Ending the Contract

Yuichi informs Mahiro's mother that their arrangement has become too intense and they must end their contract. Even after receiving an invitation to live with them, Yuichi politely refuses and suggests a funeral for Mahiro's imaginary father.

12

Consolation from a Friend

In a moment of vulnerability, Yuichi visits a friend who offers consolation and reassurance about the value of Family Romance. However, Yuichi grapples with doubts, questioning if his own family might be similarly fabricated.

13

Returning Home

The film concludes with Yuichi's return to his own home. As he approaches his door, he hears children’s voices and sees a small pair of hands on the frosted glass, but he chooses to hide instead of confronting the unknown.

Last Updated: December 13, 2024 at 06:47

Unlock the Full Story of Family Romance, LLC

Don't stop at just watching — explore Family Romance, LLC in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Family Romance, LLC is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Family Romance, LLC Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Family Romance, LLC, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Family Romance, LLC Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Family Romance, LLC

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Family Romance, LLC. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Family Romance, LLC

More About Family Romance, LLC

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Family Romance, LLC: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Family Romance, LLC

Similar Movies to Family Romance, LLC

Discover movies like Family Romance, LLC that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.