Rental Family

Phillip Vandarploeug arrives in Japan in search of steady acting work after his toothpaste commercial. He takes a precarious 'experience' job through Rental Family, a company that helps lonely people create connections. He reluctantly becomes the 'token white guy' for money, despite the odd premise.

Phillip's first assignment is to pose as Yoshie's fiancé. Yoshie is married and a lesbian, planning a traditional wedding to please her parents before leaving for Canada. Phillip commits to the role and finds the experience oddly rewarding despite the awkward setup.

Hitomi enlists Phillip to pose as Mia's estranged American father to help enroll her at a private school. Mia resents the arrangement, seeing him as an intruder. Phillip persists and gradually earns her trust as they spend time together.

Phillip interviews retired actor Kikuo Hasegawa, posing as a journalist. He bonds with Kikuo, who is under the watch of his daughter Masami, and learns that Kikuo suffers from dementia. The assignment tests Phillip's empathy and boundaries.

Phillip lands a highly coveted acting role but refuses it to avoid disrupting Mia's life. Hitomi objects, warning that he's getting too close to her daughter. The choice deepens Phillip's conflict between career ambitions and the connections he's made.

Phillip discovers some of Aiko's 'apology' jobs involve comforting wives of unfaithful husbands, sometimes leading to physical abuse. He begins to sense Shinji's hypocrisy, realizing Rental Family can be used to hollowly fill empty lives. Aiko and Kota start standing up to Shinji.

Moved by Kikuo's wish to reconnect with his roots, Phillip agrees to help him visit his childhood home in the countryside, now overtaken by nature. The journey rekindles memories for Kikuo and gives Phillip a renewed sense of purpose. Along the way Kikuo discovers an old buried box of photos and mementos.

After the trip, Kikuo collapses from exhaustion and Phillip rushes him to the hospital. Shinji confronts Phillip, accusing him of kidnapping, and Phillip is detained as a result. The confrontation exposes the thin line between care and coercion within Rental Family.

Mia's friend uncovers Phillip's real background from a Japanese TV movie, revealing that he is not just a hired helper. Mia is initially angry with her mother but ultimately forgives both of them, recognizing the depth of their relationship. The revelation sharpens the film's exploration of truth and connection.

Aiko and Kota pose as lawyers to coax Kikuo into admitting what happened. Shinji arrives posing as a police detective, signaling a turning point. Phillip is released, and Shinji begins to reevaluate Rental Family's practices.

Kikuo dies in his sleep, leaving Phillip and his allies to reflect on their actions. The funeral is attended by Aiko, Shinji, Kota, and Phillip, underscoring the personal costs of their involvement. The event emphasizes the film's critique of exploitation under the guise of connection.

Phillip reunites with Mia, who has been accepted into a new school, and their friendship continues. Rental Family discontinues its 'apology' services that allowed abuse, and Phillip continues working there in a more ethical direction. He ends with a quiet moment of prayer at a shrine, honoring Kikuo's memory.