Dwayne Johnson Breaks Down Over Brendan Fraser’s Touching Scene in Rental Family

Brendan Fraser’s latest role in the comedy- drama Rental Family has left a lasting impression on audiences—and none more so than Dwayne Johnson. During a recent Actors on Actors conversation, Johnson revealed that a single line delivered by Fraser moved him to tears, connecting deeply with his own family experiences.

Fraser’s Performance Strikes a Personal Chord

In Rental Family, Fraser plays Phillip Vandarploeug, who shares a poignant moment with an elderly man battling dementia. Johnson, reflecting on this scene, shared how it resonated with him due to his own family’s struggles with the condition. He said:

I loved the relationship between you two. And I’m dealing with dementia in our family, so I loved this idea that you want to create this moment for him, even if he’s going to forget it, to give him this peace, take him home.

Johnson admitted that Fraser’s words in the film echoed sentiments he once expressed to his own father, making the moment especially powerful. He continued:

What you say to him rocked me, because it’s what I said to my dad. It’s your version of “I’ll see you again, my friend.” It just moved me. I was getting emotional — I was crying!

Rental Family’s Unique Storytelling and Cast

During the interview, Johnson didn’t hold back his praise for the film, calling it “amazing” and commending the entire cast. He singled out Akira Emoto, who portrayed the older man with dementia, describing him as “a legend” and noting the strength of his on-screen presence:

You feel his power onscreen.

Fraser and Johnson discussed how the film’s concept stands out, with Johnson highlighting its originality and emotional depth:

The movie’s amazing, but the conceit of it is so unique and different.

Directed by Hikari, Rental Family follows Phillip, an American actor who takes on stand-in roles for strangers through a Japanese agency. As he becomes more involved in his clients’ lives, he forms genuine connections that blur the line between acting and reality, ultimately rediscovering meaning and belonging.

Fraser on Choosing an Unconventional Role

Fraser, known for his work in action and fantasy films, explained why he was drawn to such an unusual project. When Johnson asked how the script came his way, Fraser responded candidly:

I was just looking for a job, man. It’s all in the title: “Rental Family”? Insert pejorative, cheeky joke here. But it piques your interest. And that’s what this director, Hikari, embraces. She goes toward the prickly side of what that could mean, along with the softer side. The movie lives in between — it’s not cynical. I needed to find something like that.

Pressed further, Fraser revealed that he received the script before his Oscar win for The Whale and that the award didn’t influence his decision to take the part. He said:

It was before the Oscars. I saw the script first before the Oscars. Not that that changed — believe me, it doesn’t change much of anything.

He added that he would have accepted the role regardless of accolades, emphasizing his commitment to meaningful work:

I think of it two ways. On the one hand, “You better earn this. You got the brass ring but be worthy of it going forward. Uphold the standard if you can.” But also, I felt like I don’t have anything to prove. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to just coast. If anything, I feel like I have to work.

Rental Family’s Impact and Reception

Rental Family, currently playing in theaters, has been met with critical acclaim. The film holds a 7.9 rating on IMDb, an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, and a 96% audience rating. Fraser’s performance, along with the film’s exploration of human connection and purpose, has struck a chord with viewers and critics alike.