Watch Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 satirical war drama film directed by Taika Waititi. It tells the story of a young boy named Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) who lives in Nazi Germany and dreams of becoming a Nazi soldier like his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler (played by director Taika Waititi himself). Jojo's world is turned upside down when he discovers that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) has been hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic.

The story is set during the final days of World War II, and the film does not shy away from the darker aspects of this period. The movie opens with a Hitler Youth training camp, where Jojo tries his best to fit in, despite being bullied by his peers. Jojo's blind devotion to Hitler is tested when he discovers that his mother is part of a resistance movement and that the people he has been taught to hate are human beings just like him.

Jojo's journey towards acceptance and understanding is heartwarming to watch, but the film's humor is what really sets it apart. Waititi's portrayal of Hitler is absurd and ridiculous, making him into a bumbling, buffoonish figure that serves as a sort of imaginary friend for Jojo. The film's humor is often dark and twisted, but it's never mean-spirited, and the laughs never feel unwarranted.

An important theme of Jojo Rabbit is the power of propaganda and how it can be used to manipulate and brainwash people. The film does an excellent job of showing how Jojo's beliefs and attitudes are shaped by the Nazi propaganda that he is exposed to every day. Through his interactions with Elsa, Jojo begins to question everything he thought he knew about the world and realizes that people are not defined by the labels that are placed upon them.

The performances in Jojo Rabbit are exceptional, particularly from the young actors. Roman Griffin Davis gives a fantastic performance as Jojo, perfectly capturing the innocence and vulnerability of his character, while also conveying the pain and confusion that he experiences as he begins to question his beliefs. Thomasin McKenzie is similarly impressive as Elsa, bringing depth and nuance to her character, which could have easily been relegated to a stereotype.

Scarlett Johansson delivers one of her best performances to date as Jojo's mother Rosie. Johansson brings a sense of warmth and humanity to the character, making it easy to see why Jojo adores her so much. She also has a great sense of comic timing, which comes in handy during some of the film's more lighthearted moments.

Overall, Jojo Rabbit is a film that manages to be both funny and poignant at the same time. It is a testament to the power of cinema to make us laugh, cry, and think all at once. The film is a masterful blend of comedy and drama, and it is a must-see for anyone who appreciates good filmmaking.

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 58.