Summary

• Rosie's death in Jojo Rabbit symbolizes the loss of innocence and harsh realities of war.
• Jojo discovering his mother's anti-Nazi beliefs highlights the sacrifices of activists during WWII.
• The film balances humor with heartbreak, shedding light on the cruelty of war and Hitler's regime.

Taika Waititi’s unconventional World War II film Jojo Rabbit is a combination of drama and comedy, and its most emotional moment is what happens to Jojo Rabbit's mom. Following the success of Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi returned with a very different film: Jojo Rabbit, based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens and starring Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson, Thomasin McKenzie, and Waititi in his most controversial role to date. Jojo Rabbit is set in the later stages of World War II and follows Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (Griffin Davis), a Hitler Youth member and supporter of the war.

However, Jojo finds out that his mother, Rosie (Johansson), is hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa (McKenzie) in their house. Jojo then finds himself questioning his beliefs while also dealing with his imaginary friend: a bizarre version of Adolf Hitler (Waititi) who isn’t the best at offering advice to young Jojo. The film gave Waititi an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, though Jojo Rabbit also received criticism for the comedic portrayal of Hitler and other Nazis. Nevertheless, the movie is still harrowing at times, most notably when the movie shows what happens to Jojo Rabbit's mom.

Jojo Finds Rosie Hanging After Following A Blue Butterfly

The Butterfly Represents Jojo's Loss Of Innocence

Although Jojo Rabbit has a lot of comedic moments (as expected from a film written and directed by Waititi), it also has a lot of emotional moments, especially those between Jojo, Rosie, and Elsa. The film’s most heartbreaking moment was that of the death of Rosie, which came as a surprise to both viewers and Jojo. As Jojo is walking down the street, he comes across a blue butterfly and follows it to the public square, where he finds his mother hanging along with other people. Jojo breaks down and hugs his mother’s legs, ties her shoelaces, and stays next to her body for a while.

This moment of innocence, with Jojo chasing the butterfly, is abruptly shattered, mirroring his loss of innocence and the harsh confrontation with the realities of war and grief.

The discovery of his mother's fate is a poignant and harrowing moment for Jojo, who, up until then, views the world through a naively patriotic lens shaped by the fascist regime he idolizes. The significance of the blue butterfly that leads Jojo to this devastating discovery symbolizes the fleeting beauty and fragility of life, serving as a stark contrast to the brutality of the scene that unfolds. This moment of innocence, with Jojo chasing the butterfly, is abruptly shattered, mirroring his loss of innocence and the harsh confrontation with the realities of war and grief.

Rosie's shoelaces serve as a motif representing her care and connection to Jojo, as she always tied his shoelaces. This simple yet profound act is Jojo's way of maintaining a semblance of normalcy and connection with Rosie, even in death. It is a moment of heartrending tenderness that speaks volumes of their relationship. Jojo's inability to properly tie his shoelaces, which Rosie often helped him with, underscores his need for her guidance and the gaping void left by her absence. It's a silent testament to their bond and Jojo's profound loss, emphasizing the personal cost of war beyond the battlefield.

How Realistic Was Rosie's Death?

Real Anti-Nazis Suffered Similar Fates

At the beginning of the film, Jojo and Rosie are presented as supporters of Hitler, but it turns out to be a false front, as Rosie’s beliefs are the complete opposite. Unbeknownst to Jojo and everyone else, Rosie was anti-Nazi and actively (though secretly) campaigned against Hitler and the war, which is why she was hiding Elsa. Jojo learns about his mother’s real beliefs when he sees her leaving “free Germany” messages around town, and one of those leaflets is attached to her body when he finds her.

The death of Jojo’s mother is a tough moment to watch, but it’s a reminder of the hard work of activists and their sacrifices through history, as they never stopped fighting for the greater good

Rosie’s death is not far from the facts, as many anti-Nazi figures and groups were hunted down and murdered as they were considered traitors. These groups used to clandestinely write, print, and distribute anti-Nazi pamphlets and leaflets with “Freedom!” and “Down with Hitler!” written on them, and many of them were caught and arrested — after that, they could either be sent to concentration camps or be executed, just like Rosie.

Jojo Rabbit is as heartbreaking as it's funny, as it shows the cruelty of the war and Hitler’s reign through the eyes of a boy who was taught to believe in something that wasn’t true, only to find out what the world was really like all by himself. The death of Jojo’s mother is a tough moment to watch, but it’s a reminder of the hard work of activists and their sacrifices through history, as they never stopped fighting for the greater good (in this case, ending the war and Hitler’s inhumane practices) – though, sadly, that meant Jojo becoming an orphan.