Summary and Analysis of Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Genre: Satirical comedy-drama, war
Setting: Nazi Germany, toward the end of World War II
Jojo Rabbit follows Johannes “Jojo” Betzler, a 10-year-old boy in Nazi Germany whose worldview is
shaped by intense propaganda and an imaginary friend—an absurd, buffoonish version of Adolf Hitler
(played by director Taika Waititi). Jojo idolizes Hitler and dreams of becoming a devoted Nazi.
However, his beliefs are challenged when he discovers his mother, Rosie, is hiding a Jewish girl
named Elsa in their attic. As Jojo secretly gets to know Elsa, his perception of Jews, the war, and his
country slowly unravels, forcing him to question everything he has been taught.
Themes:
The Absurdity of Hatred & Propaganda:
Through satire, the film highlights how blind nationalism and racism are learned behaviors, especially
among children. Jojo’s indoctrination is so extreme it manifests as a literal imaginary Hitler. This
mockery of fascist ideology emphasizes how absurd and illogical hate truly is.
Coming of Age & Moral Awakening:
Jojo’s journey is a classic bildungsroman. He begins as a zealous Nazi-in-training and gradually
evolves into a compassionate, questioning, and morally aware young boy. His internal conflict mirrors
Germany’s reckoning with its own identity after the war.
Love vs. Fear:
The emotional center of the film is Jojo’s relationship with his mother and Elsa. Rosie encourages
Jojo to “choose love,” while the Nazi regime wants him to live in fear and hate. The film suggests
love, empathy, and connection as the ultimate antidotes to fear-fueled extremism.
War and Innocence:
Jojo represents the loss of innocence during wartime. The film contrasts childlike wonder with the
grim realities of war, portraying how deeply war corrupts not just systems but also the minds of the
young.
Motifs and Symbols:
Imaginary Hitler:
A satirical stand-in for Nazi ideology, this version of Hitler starts off as Jojo’s cheerleader and
devolves into a desperate, pathetic figure as Jojo matures. This symbolizes the disintegration of
Jojo’s blind loyalty.
Butterfly and Shoes:
Rosie’s shoes are symbolically significant. They’re frequently shown in graceful movement,
representing life, motherhood, and humanity. When Jojo finds her hanging in the square, the camera
only shows her dangling shoes—a subtle yet gut-wrenching reveal of her execution. This minimalist
shot reinforces the loss of innocence and emotional trauma without gratuitous violence.
Costumes and Uniforms:
The use of Nazi uniforms, both real and absurdly exaggerated, serves to mock the performative
nature of power and hate. Jojo’s eventual shedding of the uniform mirrors his inner change.
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Genre: Satirical comedy-drama, war
Setting: Nazi Germany, toward the end of World War II
Jojo Rabbit follows Johannes “Jojo” Betzler, a 10-year-old boy in Nazi Germany whose worldview is
shaped by intense propaganda and an imaginary friend—an absurd, buffoonish version of Adolf Hitler
(played by director Taika Waititi). Jojo idolizes Hitler and dreams of becoming a devoted Nazi.
However, his beliefs are challenged when he discovers his mother, Rosie, is hiding a Jewish girl
named Elsa in their attic. As Jojo secretly gets to know Elsa, his perception of Jews, the war, and his
country slowly unravels, forcing him to question everything he has been taught.
Themes:
The Absurdity of Hatred & Propaganda:
Through satire, the film highlights how blind nationalism and racism are learned behaviors, especially
among children. Jojo’s indoctrination is so extreme it manifests as a literal imaginary Hitler. This
mockery of fascist ideology emphasizes how absurd and illogical hate truly is.
Coming of Age & Moral Awakening:
Jojo’s journey is a classic bildungsroman. He begins as a zealous Nazi-in-training and gradually
evolves into a compassionate, questioning, and morally aware young boy. His internal conflict mirrors
Germany’s reckoning with its own identity after the war.
Love vs. Fear:
The emotional center of the film is Jojo’s relationship with his mother and Elsa. Rosie encourages
Jojo to “choose love,” while the Nazi regime wants him to live in fear and hate. The film suggests
love, empathy, and connection as the ultimate antidotes to fear-fueled extremism.
War and Innocence:
Jojo represents the loss of innocence during wartime. The film contrasts childlike wonder with the
grim realities of war, portraying how deeply war corrupts not just systems but also the minds of the
young.
Motifs and Symbols:
Imaginary Hitler:
A satirical stand-in for Nazi ideology, this version of Hitler starts off as Jojo’s cheerleader and
devolves into a desperate, pathetic figure as Jojo matures. This symbolizes the disintegration of
Jojo’s blind loyalty.
Butterfly and Shoes:
Rosie’s shoes are symbolically significant. They’re frequently shown in graceful movement,
representing life, motherhood, and humanity. When Jojo finds her hanging in the square, the camera
only shows her dangling shoes—a subtle yet gut-wrenching reveal of her execution. This minimalist
shot reinforces the loss of innocence and emotional trauma without gratuitous violence.
Costumes and Uniforms:
The use of Nazi uniforms, both real and absurdly exaggerated, serves to mock the performative
nature of power and hate. Jojo’s eventual shedding of the uniform mirrors his inner change.
