Rental Family

The story unfolds in modern-day Japan, where a fading sense of connection drives people to hire others to fill emotional gaps. The world feels current and recognizable, with references to film shoots, commercials, and cross-border moves. It portrays present-day parental aspirations, education systems, and the cash-driven dynamics of media-era life.

Set primarily in Japan, Rental Family unfolds across a mosaic of everyday spaces—from Phillip's lonely apartment window to the Rental Family office, wedding venues, and Mia's school. The country serves as a modern backdrop where people seek belonging through performative roles. The film traverses public events and private rituals—e.g., a Monster Cat Festival and a shrine visit—highlighting how social façades mask intimate needs.

🎭 Identity

The Rental Family business turns emotion into a product, forcing Phillip to adopt personas and perform roles to help others. He grapples with whether his authenticity matters when his performances bring real happiness to a client. The movie traces how identity is shaped by circumstance, choice, and the needs of those who hire others to feel complete. Ultimately, Phillip's journey questions what remains when a role ends.

💔 Loneliness

Phillip's loneliness is the throughline that drives him to accept the work of the Rental Family. The film shows how close connections can be manufactured, yet genuine closeness requires risk and vulnerability. Mia's craving for a father figure exposes the ache of being seen and cared for by someone who truly cares. The story suggests that companionship, even when improvised, can heal, but also leaves marks.

⚖️ Ethics

Emotional labor is commodified by the agency, raising questions about consent, exploitation, and manipulation. Aiko's experiences expose the dark side of the business—abuse and power imbalances that people endure for money. Phillip's critique of Shinji's hypocritical model underscores the moral cost of selling sympathy. The narrative probes whether healthy connections can emerge from ethically gray foundations.

👪 Family

The film reframes family as something formed through care rather than biology, with Phillip becoming a quasi-father to Mia and a companion to Kikuo. The bond between Mia and Phillip grows into trust, even as the real families tighten their own ties. Kikuo's longing for a past relationship with his daughter Masami echoes the universal desire for connection. In the end, chosen family members stand in for blood relatives, shaping lives beyond contract.

🕯️ Mortality

The story confronts aging and the fragility of memory through Kikuo's dementia and eventual death. Phillip witnesses the impact of time on relationships and the pain of saying goodbye. The funeral scenes blur the line between performance and authenticity, grounding the emotional stakes in real loss. The arc culminates in a sense of farewell and the enduring memory of those who mattered.