When Jojo Rabbit premiered in 2019, it immediately stood out as one of the most daring and unconventional films of the decade. Written and directed by Taika Waititi, the film blends biting satire, heartfelt drama, and whimsical humor into a poignant anti-hate story set against one of history’s darkest periods: Nazi Germany during the final years of World War II. Based loosely on Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies, Jojo Rabbit is a film that shouldn’t work on paper — a comedy about a Hitler-obsessed boy — yet it succeeds brilliantly, offering a deeply moving exploration of indoctrination, compassion, and personal transformation.
Plot Summary
Set in Nazi Germany during the waning days of World War II, Jojo Rabbit follows the story of Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (played by Roman Griffin Davis), a ten-year-old boy living with his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). Jojo is a fervent member of the Hitler Youth and idolizes Adolf Hitler to the point of conjuring him as an imaginary friend, portrayed with absurd comedic energy by Taika Waititi himself. This imaginary Hitler is not a faithful representation of the historical dictator but a childish, ridiculous version reflecting Jojo’s own limited understanding of the world.
Jojo’s naïve enthusiasm for Nazi ideology is put to the test when he discovers a Jewish girl, Elsa Korr (Thomasin McKenzie), hiding in the attic of his home. Rosie, who secretly despises the Nazi regime and works for the resistance, has been sheltering Elsa in an act of quiet defiance. At first, Jojo is terrified and hostile toward Elsa, having internalized all the grotesque Nazi propaganda about Jews. However, as the two spend more time together, Jojo begins to question the beliefs he’s been taught.
Their relationship evolves from suspicion to friendship and eventually to something resembling love, as Elsa shares her humanity and Jojo’s childish worldview begins to unravel. Meanwhile, Rosie continues to walk a dangerous line, raising Jojo with love and humor while resisting the regime in secret. Jojo’s illusions about the world come crashing down when he discovers Rosie has been executed by the Gestapo for her resistance activities — a devastating turning point in the story.
As the war nears its end and Nazi Germany collapses, Jojo must confront the lies he has believed and decide who he wants to become. The film concludes with Jojo and Elsa stepping outside into a liberated Germany, uncertain of their future but free to build a new life beyond the hatred that once defined their world.
Satire and Tone: Balancing Humor and Horror
One of the most remarkable achievements of Jojo Rabbit is its tone. It is simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, absurd and deeply sincere. Taika Waititi walks a delicate tightrope, using comedy not to mock the horrors of the Holocaust but to ridicule the hateful ideology that fueled it. The caricatured version of Hitler — foolish, insecure, and childish — is a prime example. By portraying Hitler as the imaginary friend of a confused boy, Waititi strips the dictator of his power and mystique, reducing him to a ridiculous figure unworthy of fear or reverence.
This satirical approach extends to the depiction of Nazi officials and propaganda. The Hitler Youth training scenes, for example, parody the absurd indoctrination of children, with instructors spouting nonsensical pseudo-science and encouraging reckless violence. Characters like Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell), a disillusioned war veteran forced into ridiculous bureaucratic roles, underscore the dysfunction and hypocrisy of the Nazi regime.
Yet Jojo Rabbit never loses sight of the real human cost of the ideology it mocks. Beneath the humor lies deep sorrow and tragedy. Rosie’s execution, Elsa’s trauma, and Jojo’s painful awakening remind the audience that while hatred may be absurd, its consequences are devastating. This balance of satire and sincerity is what elevates Jojo Rabbit beyond simple comedy, making it a profoundly human story.
Themes: Indoctrination, Empathy, and Transformation
At its heart, Jojo Rabbit is a film about the dangers of indoctrination and the redemptive power of empathy. Jojo’s worldview is not born of malice but of conditioning. He is a child molded by relentless propaganda, taught to hate before he is old enough to question. His blind devotion to Hitler and belief in grotesque myths about Jews highlight how hatred is learned, not innate.
Elsa’s presence challenges that conditioning. Through her kindness, intelligence, and humor, she humanizes a group Jojo had been taught to fear and despise. Their evolving relationship becomes the emotional core of the film. At first, Jojo treats Elsa as a monster from Nazi propaganda, demanding that she reveal her “horns” and “mind-control powers.” But Elsa refuses to play the role he expects. Instead, she speaks with honesty and dignity, forcing Jojo to confront the contradictions in his beliefs.
Rosie’s role is equally significant. She is the embodiment of love and humanity in a dehumanizing world. Her playful, spirited parenting contrasts sharply with the authoritarian brutality of the Nazi regime. Through her, the film shows that resistance can take many forms — sometimes as simple as dancing in the street, telling jokes, or nurturing kindness in a child’s heart. Rosie plants the seeds of doubt in Jojo, gently urging him to see beyond hatred and question what he has been taught.
By the end of the film, Jojo has undergone a profound transformation. The Hitler figure who once guided him becomes increasingly childish, petulant, and irrelevant as Jojo’s worldview matures. In a climactic moment, Jojo literally “kicks Hitler out” of his life, symbolizing his rejection of hate and blind obedience. His decision to protect Elsa, even lying to her that Germany has won the war to keep her close, reflects his newfound capacity for love and empathy — though he later redeems himself by telling her the truth.
Visual Style and Direction
Taika Waititi’s visual style in Jojo Rabbit enhances its unique tone. The film is vibrant and colorful, especially in the early scenes, mirroring Jojo’s childlike innocence and distorted understanding of the world. Costumes and sets often border on whimsical, with exaggerated uniforms and bright, cheerful streets that contrast sharply with the grim realities of Nazi Germany. As Jojo’s perspective darkens and matures, so too does the film’s visual palette, becoming more muted and somber.
Cinematographer Mihai Mălaimare Jr. uses creative framing to emphasize Jojo’s point of view, often shooting from a low angle to reflect his small stature and limited perspective. This choice makes the audience share in Jojo’s evolving understanding — we see the world as he sees it, and as his vision clears, so does ours.
The soundtrack also plays a significant role in establishing tone. The use of modern songs, such as a German-language version of The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in the opening credits, underscores the absurdity of Nazi fanaticism and draws parallels between mass hysteria then and now. Music becomes a bridge between past and present, reminding audiences that the themes of the film remain relevant.
Reception and Legacy
Jojo Rabbit premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019, where it won the prestigious People’s Choice Award. It went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Critics praised its audacious blend of humor and heartbreak, though some found its comedic approach to such dark subject matter controversial. Taika Waititi himself described the film as an “anti-hate satire,” a label that captures its intent and spirit.
The film resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, particularly for its message about breaking free from hatred and embracing empathy. Its portrayal of indoctrination — not as a product of inherent evil but of ignorance and fear — offers valuable insight into how extremist ideologies take root. At the same time, its hopeful ending, with Jojo and Elsa stepping into a liberated world, reminds viewers that even after immense darkness, renewal and love are possible.
Conclusion: A Satire with a Soul
Jojo Rabbit is a rare and remarkable film — one that dares to make us laugh in the shadow of history’s darkest chapter while never trivializing its horrors. Taika Waititi uses satire not as a shield from the past but as a scalpel to dissect it, exposing the absurdity of hatred and the vulnerability of those who fall under its spell. Through Jojo’s journey from indoctrination to empathy, the film demonstrates that love and understanding can flourish even in the bleakest circumstances.
It is this balance — between humor and heartbreak, ridicule and reverence — that makes Jojo Rabbit so powerful. It reminds us that even in times of great cruelty, humanity endures. And perhaps most importantly, it speaks directly to our present moment, showing that hatred, no matter how deeply ingrained, can be unlearned — and that the future belongs to those willing to open their hearts.
In the end, Jojo Rabbit is not just a film about World War II or Nazi Germany. It is a universal story about childhood, innocence, and the courage to change. It invites us to laugh, to cry, and to reflect — and in doing so, it cements its place as one of the most original and essential films of the 21st century.
