Searchlight Pictures and the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award share a long and successful history. From Slumdog Millionaire to Nomadland, the distributor has frequently turned TIFF’s audience recognition into Oscar success. Now, five years after Chloé Zhao’s Best Picture winner, all signs point to Rental Family becoming Searchlight’s next People’s Choice contender.
Directed by Hikari, Rental Family stars Brendan Fraser in his first leading role since his Best Actor Oscar win for The Whale. The film premiered to rapturous applause in Toronto, with audience members cheering Fraser as he exited the screening. The buzz signals a strong awards-season run for both the film and its lead.
Plot and Themes
In Rental Family, Fraser plays Phillip Vandarploeug, a struggling American actor who moves to Tokyo in search of a second chance. He joins a unique Japanese company that allows clients to hire performers to role-play different scenarios — from companionship to staged weddings. Over time, Phillip blurs the line between performance and reality, forming authentic emotional bonds.
Fraser described the film as a “love letter to Tokyo”, adding that it speaks to universal themes of loneliness and belonging. His heartfelt remarks, combined with Hikari’s sensitive storytelling, position the film as one of TIFF’s most emotionally resonant titles.
Oscar Potential
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Best Picture: Like past Searchlight hits Little Miss Sunshine, The Shape of Water, and Jojo Rabbit, Rental Family blends emotional resonance with originality, making it a strong Best Picture contender.
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Best Actor: Fraser, currently ranked No. 4 in early prediction charts, has industry goodwill and audience affection that could fuel another Oscar nomination. His immersive performance, including studying Japanese culture and language, enhances the authenticity of his role.
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Best Supporting Actor: Akira Emoto delivers a moving turn as a retired performer in one of the film’s most emotional moments. Critics suggest he could earn a historic nomination, potentially becoming the first Japanese actor nominated in this category since Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003).
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Best Original Screenplay: Written by Hikari and Stephen Blahut, the screenplay’s originality and cross-cultural perspective echo past winners like Lost in Translation, establishing strong precedent.
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Best Cinematography: Takurô Ishizaka’s lens captures Tokyo with luminous beauty, making the city itself a character in the story. His work could earn him recognition in a category rarely spotlighting Japanese cinematographers.
Brendan Fraser’s Return
While The Whale marked Fraser’s triumphant comeback, Rental Family solidifies his standing as an international leading man. His performance bridges cultures while reminding audiences why he remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.
With heartfelt storytelling, emotional resonance, and stellar performances, Rental Family is shaping up as one of TIFF’s biggest contenders and a film to watch on the road to the Academy Awards.
