Review: Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

There are three movies in particular that I was dying to see at this year's TIFF  but that I had to unfortunately miss out on. However, It looks like this weekend I am going to have the pleasure of knocking all three off of my list (partially because I am heading out of town for work this week for the month and will become more limited with my time to go to the theatre and write reviews).

The first of these films is Jojo Rabbit - the quirkily black-comedy from acclaimed writer/director (and newfound icon of New Zealand), Taika Waititi. Waititi is absolutely one of my favourite new-age directors; he has that rare talent of being able to infuse his films with his now-distinct irreverent and absurd sense of humour with true heart. And, in that, Jojo Rabbit is not only no different, but he seems to have perfected that hard-to-obtain formula of high class comedy and drama.

For those that have seen the trailer/read up on it, you know the offbeat setup for the film. Jojo Rabbit takes place during WWII and follows the story of Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a young German boy, who is such a steadfast supporter of the Nazi regime that his imaginary friend (and confidante) is Adolf Hitler himself (played with a gleeful exaggeration by Waititi that would surely make Mel Brooks proud). In Jojo's life are his mother (Scarlett Johansson), his Hitler youth leader (Sam Rockwell) and assistants (Alfie Allen and Rebel Wilson), and the head of the local Gestapo (Stephen Merchant). All of the cast are excellent; each clearly understands Waititi's vision for the oddball film and tap fully into their characters and the script (many of the... erm, hard-to-pinpoint accents add to the offbeat comedy). The plot of the film takes a noticeable turn early on, of which the trailers rightfully do not spoil, but, suffice it to say, that the film does have a solid plot and there is a very clear point to this film and the message it seeks to convey. I do not want to spoil it here but, despite the thoroughly hilarious comedy, there is an underlying foreboding and danger that comes with this setting and plot that the film makes perfect use of. Darkness permeates the absurd here, and there are moments of terror and heartache that, compared with the humour, become actually quite jarring in their suddenness and impact. But, again, that is the point to all of this. As mentioned, Waititi (who many may not know is Jewish) has made this film for a reason and he does it with a deft (and goofy) hand.


Jojo Rabbit is the kind of film that one hears about but does not necessarily go out to see right away due to its ridiculous setup/plot. That is, until a friend who has seen it implores them to do. Like many of Waititi's, Jojo will have a place cemented for it in the category of great cult-comedies, but what makes it truly standout is in the film's heart. It is commendable that Waititi ran with such a difficult setup and that studios went ahead with having it made. Jojo's delicate balance of Waititi's distinct sense of humour with a plot set in one of the darkest times of recent human history is no easy task. And yet Waititi has done so with confidence and class, creating a film that is as funny as it is relevant and important. This is absolutely one film you should take time out of your day to go see.