A comedy about Nazis? Seems a bit strange, if not impossible, however, Jojo Rabbit somehow makes it work in an enjoyable satire about Nazi Germany. The film follows Johannes “Jojo”, a 10-year-old German boy at the end of World War II.  He considers himself a Nazi and his imaginary friend just so happens to be Adolf Hitler. Upon discovering that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic, Jojo is faced with some difficult situations all while the war is coming to a close. 

The entire movie is very funny and is laced with a satirical and mocking tone throughout. While it may seem distasteful to make a joke about such an intense subject, it is so over the top that it seems more or less acceptable. Some may find the jokes about WWII unsettling and inappropriate, however, for the most part, I found it enjoyable. Despite the humorous overtones, Jojo Rabbit discusses many deep themes surrounding WWII. While I would not necessarily consider it an educational film, I do believe that there are many important messages embedded. For example, characters risk their lives and go against strict standards to do what they believe is right. Coming from someone who is typically not interested in historical dramas, I believe that Jojo Rabbit brings a new perspective to this genre that appeals to a wider audience. Some may find the film to be too much for their taste, but all in all, I find that it can provide a certain level of entertainment to virtually everyone. 

Jojo Rabbit was widely released on October 16 and is still currently shown in many theaters. It is rated PG-13 largely appropriate for most 12-13-year-olds but it should not be one’s first introduction to WWI. Additionally, some of the humor is dark/more mature so I think it may be more entertaining for a slightly older audience in high school and above.