Rental Family

In the neon‑lit streets of Tokyo, an expatriate actor finds himself adrift amid a sea of strangers. Phillip Vandarploeug has spent seven years drifting between bit parts in commercials and fleeting cameo‑roles, his days framed by the quiet loneliness of an apartment window that watches the lives he never truly joins. When a quirky opportunity lands in his inbox, he is invited into a world where intimacy is a service and emotion is a transaction.

The invitation comes from a modest office run by Shinji Tada, the unassuming head of a “rental‑family” agency that hires people to step into the missing pieces of others’ lives. Here, professional stand‑ins fill roles ranging from the supportive partner to the caring parent, creating fleeting moments of connection for clients who yearn for a sense of completeness. The concept is both whimsical and poignant, blending the art of performance with the raw desire for genuine feeling.

Phillip’s curiosity is piqued by the agency’s unorthodox premise, and he soon meets the close‑knit crew that keeps the operation humming. Aiko Nakajima, a dedicated colleague with a quiet resolve, navigates the delicate balance between compassion and the commercial side of the business, while Kota Nakano adds a steady, if understated, presence. Even his agent, Sonia, an ever‑watchful voice from his past, watches the thin line between career and personal fulfillment blur as Phillip steps further into these borrowed lives.

The film unfolds as a gentle meditation on identity, belonging, and the delicate art of pretending to be someone else long enough for both parties to discover what truly matters. It invites viewers to wonder where performance ends and authentic emotion begins, all set against the vibrant, slightly surreal backdrop of contemporary Tokyo.

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:29