Hikari’s Rental Family is somber, slightly absurd, but unmistakably human - a heartwarming watch through and through. At first glance, its premise feels almost whimsical: a performer hired to fill emotional gaps in people's lives. But Hikari’s direction elevates that conceit into something deeply poignant, examining how connection is both something we crave and something we often struggle to maintain. Yes, the film can be unabashedly sentimental. It leans heavily into themes of longing, loneliness, and the invisible wounds people carry. But that’s also what makes it resonate. The film never mocks its characters or the strange industry at its center though - instead, it uses that absurdity to highlight just how universal the desire to be seen and understood truly is. As for Brendan Fraser, he delivers one of his most quietly affecting performances to date. There is kindness in his posture, a softness in his eyes that does so much of the film’s emotional heavy lifting. Fraser plays a man who not only helps others reconnect with themselves but is also quietly navigating his own displacement. And while the story is undeniably heavy at times, Rental Family never forgets to breathe. The film embraces the inherent oddity of its premise, sprinkling in humor that feels organic. Those moments of levity provide genuine laughs and well-earned smiles, grounding the story instead of undercutting it. But, you should probably prepare for tears - not because the film manipulates you, but because it taps into something universal and disarmingly real. Yep, Rental Family might be the most genuinely feel-good film of the year.