‘Rental Family’ Cut Backstory That Changes Mari Yamamoto’s Character [Exclusive]

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Following his acclaimed performance in The Whale, Rental Family marks another significant role for Brendan Fraser. The film also boasts a strong supporting cast, including Takehiro Hira (Shogun) and Mari Yamamoto (Pachinko, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters), who play key roles as employees of a unique rental agency. They help Fraser’s character, Phillip, navigate their unusual services – providing stand-ins for family roles for those who can afford it. Directed and co-written by Hikari, Rental Family is a heartwarming and empathetic story about people searching for connection.

Yamamoto recently told MovieWeb about developing her character, Aiko, and the detailed work that went into understanding her past. She revealed that scenes showing Aiko’s life before joining the rental agency were filmed, intended to provide emotional context for her journey. While these scenes ultimately didn’t make the final movie, Yamamoto appreciated filming them, as they helped her connect with and fully understand the character she was portraying.

As a viewer, I was really struck by the layers they built into this character. They actually filmed a whole backstory that informs every single one of her actions, and it was fascinating to piece it together as I watched. We don’t get a lot of direct explanation of why she is the way she is – what drove her to this job, what motivates her – but I started to understand it through the subtle hints. It became clear to me that something truly awful happened to her in the past, something she dealt with completely alone. That experience created this deep, almost obsessive need to be there for others when they’re hurting, to be the support she never had.

Mari Yamamoto Understood Her ‘Rental Family’ Character’s Motivation on a Fundamental Level

Mari Yamamoto’s performance as Aiko is central to the film’s emotional impact. Beyond Phillip’s inappropriate connections with clients, the story also follows Aiko’s unusual job: enduring verbal and physical abuse from clients’ wives who mistakenly believe she is having an affair with their husbands. Yamamoto explained to MovieWeb that Aiko’s reasons for accepting this abuse are rooted in her character’s past, which is revealed through flashbacks.

That initial experience really shaped why she’s so passionate about her work. But it’s complicated because she often takes on demeaning apology assignments that clash with her personal values – things she fundamentally disagrees with. We realized these assignments are actually their most requested service. She essentially sacrifices her principles to keep the business afloat, which ultimately allows her to help the people who truly need her support. We uncovered a lot of depth to her character, and I’m glad that’s reflected in the story.

Even though some of her character’s history was removed, Yamamoto delivered a moving and powerful performance. Rental Family is full of complex characters, and the actors do a great job of hinting at their pasts, keeping viewers engaged without needing to show everything.

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2025-11-25 19:18