SPOILER WARNINGS FOR THE MOVIE (obviously..)

I first watched Jojo Rabbit in 2022 when my civics teacher showed it to us in class. Since then I have re-watched it several times and it quickly became one of my favourite movies. The movie is based on the 2004 novel 'Caging Skies'. written by Christine Leunens.

The movie follows a ten year old boy (Jojo) growing up in Nazi Germany whose imaginary friend is Hitler. Presumably because his father is a soldier and he doesn't have any active male influence elsewhere. He starts the movie a complete fanatic but later discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa. While at first he's disgusted by the fact that she's there and he wants to report her: He eventually begins to bond with her. Mostly because as she pointed out: If he reported her then his mom would be in danger and so would he.

Before Jojo finds out about his mothers death Captain K shows up to his house and ultimately lies to protect Elsa, allowing her to pretend to be Jojo's dead sister. After Jojo discovers his mother has died he begins to really question his beliefs and if he's really trusting the right side. Captain K has been confirmed to have been gay and in a relationship with Finkel. The most obvious sign of this in the movie aside from every single scene Captain K and Finkel are in was the last scene of the two of them at the end. Their new uniforms at the end of the war have pink triangles on them, which was the symbol for homosexuals during the Holocaust and was most likely worn by the couple at the end of the war because they knew Germany would lose the war.

This also explains why Captain K was willing to lie for Elsa. He knew what it was like to have to lie just to stay alive. He knew what it felt like to hide in plain sight. He knew how she felt. Unfortunately for Captain K and Finkel neither of them ever lived to see Germany free again, both dying the in the final days of the war. Finkel in battle and Captain K by execution. Though not before he comforted Jojo one last time and then made him go home to Elsa. Jojo left screaming and crying and then Captain K was shot off screen.

The movie ends with Germany losing the war and Jojo and Elsa finally being able to live in peace. It's assumed Jojo's father was still alive despite nobody having heard from him in months as Elsa told Jojo his mother said he would be home soon and that he had somehow been involved with resistance efforts from abroad.

Personally my love for this movie comes from the attention to detail within it. The way throughout the film Rosie is identified by her shoes so you immedietly know it's her.. Captain K and Finkels relationship being passed off as being best friends until the ending.. Jojo's imaginary Hitler progressively getting more and more realistic going from being a funny 10 year olds imaginary ideal to become more realistic.. The way Jojo's imaginary Hitler did things the real one at least publicly said he was opposed to, showing how little Jojo actually knew.

Something that often bothers me in historical shows/movies is a lack of knowledge on the writers part. This movie is the exact opposite of that in every way.