Brendan Fraser's triumphant Oscar win in 2023 for The Whale marked a spectacular return to Hollywood's spotlight. Now, the actor's latest project, the quietly powerful Japanese drama Rental Family, proves he is confidently carving a unique and deeply personal path forward in his career.
From Blockbuster Hero to Arthouse Darling
Fraser, 57, dominated the box office in the late 90s and early 2000s with crowd-pleasing adventures like The Mummy trilogy. Yet, critical acclaim often eluded those commercial hits. After a period away from the mainstream, director Darren Aronofsky saw a profound, untapped depth in Fraser for The Whale—a unique ability to project both kindness and profound sadness simultaneously.
This quality has become his signature strength. "I have nothing but opportunity ahead of me," Fraser told PLAY, reflecting on his post-Oscar reality. He feels a new sense of freedom, liberated from the pressure to prove himself and empowered to choose material that speaks to his sensibilities.
Rental Family: A Love Letter to Loneliness
Directed by the mononymous Japanese filmmaker Hikari, Rental Family delves into a real-world Japanese service where actors are hired to act as companions, mourners, or family members for clients. Fraser plays Phillip, an American actor in Tokyo whose career has stalled since a hit toothpaste commercial.
Desperate for work, Phillip joins a rental agency run by Shinji (played by Shogun star Takehiro Hira). His assignments are surreal: posing as an estranged American father for a young girl, or pretending to be a journalist profiling a fading actor. What begins as a job slowly blurs into genuine emotional connection, forcing Phillip to question his own life and choices.
"It's a love letter to loneliness that's addressed to Tokyo, but it could be anywhere," Fraser explains. "You can be in a populous, metropolitan city... and loneliness doesn't necessarily mean you are by yourself, you can have a lack of connection with others."
Melancholy as a Strength
Fraser's own experiences with isolation inform his nuanced performance. "If you want me to make it personal, for sure, like I have felt that plenty of times," he admits, highlighting the importance of asking for help. This personal resonance allows him to occupy a bittersweet spot—melancholic without being maudlin—that gives his characters immense sympathy.
With Rental Family establishing him as a new darling of arthouse cinema, Fraser now enjoys the rare luxury of choosing from diverse projects. This includes a potential return to blockbusters, with news breaking in November that he and Rachel Weisz will reprise their roles in The Mummy 4.
"I'm hopeful to give you more details soon, but I love the idea of it very, very much," Fraser says, beaming. He acknowledges the enduring love for the adventure series, recognising them as the anthems for a generation, much like Star Wars was for him.
Rental Family opens in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day. While it stands as the antithesis of a big-budget adventure, its power lies in the profound humanity Fraser brings to the screen—an actor more comfortable in his own skin than ever, fully embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.
