Satirizing Hitler: The Effects of Nazi Doctrines in 'Jojo Rabbit' Anonymous 10th Grade

Taika Waititi, perhaps best known for directing films like Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and What We Do in the Shadows, remarked that simply, Jojo Rabbit is an “anti-hate” film. Much more broadly, though, Jojo Rabbit exposes the hypocrisy and stupidity of Hitler and Nazi ideology (and ideologies which have since resulted from it). When audiences are first introduced to the eponymous Johannes “Jojo Rabbit” Beltzer (played wonderfully by newcomer Roman Griffin Davis), Waititi quickly establishes that Jojo and his friends have been indoctrinated in the messaging and propaganda of the Nazis and its short-lived Third Reich: they are unable to think clearly and are so consumed by hate that their innate human kindness and compassion is stifled.

Despite his indoctrination, Jojo gradually beings to see the idiocy of Nazism – and becomes a more kind and compassionate person because of it. He does this primarily because of his mother, Rosie Beltzer (played by Scarlett Johansson) and the young Jewish girl she is hiding in their attic called Elsa (played by Thomasin McKenzie). “You're not a Nazi, Jojo,” Rosie exclaims mid-way through the film as Jojo expresses pride in being a member of the Hitler Youth and a Nazi, “You're a...