Johannes "Jojo" Betzler, portrayed by Roman Griffin Davis, is a ten-year-old boy navigating life in Nazi Germany during the latter stages of World War II. He resides with his mother, Rosie, while his father is allegedly serving on the Italian Front, leaving Jojo with no contact and grieving the recent loss of his sister, Inge, due to influenza. Often caught up in the fervor of his surroundings, the patriotic Jojo engages in conversations with his imaginary friend, a naive version of Adolf Hitler, acted by Taika Waititi.
Attending a Hitler Youth camp led by the one-eyed Captain Klenzendorf, played by Sam Rockwell, Jojo's resolve is tested when he is prompted to kill a rabbit. Instead, he shows compassion and flees in tears, ushering in the mocking laughter of his peers who dub him "Jojo Rabbit." Motivated by a pep talk from his imaginary Adolf, Jojo makes a reckless decision to throw a Stielhandgranate, resulting in an explosion that leaves him scarred and limping. Following his recovery, his mother, Rosie, implores Klenzendorf, who has been demoted, to ensure Jojo feels included during his rehabilitation. Jojo is assigned menial tasks such as distributing propaganda and gathering scrap metal for war efforts.
One fateful day, while home alone, Jojo discovers Elsa Korr, a Jewish girl in hiding who was a classmate of his late sister. Initially threatening to betray her to the Gestapo, Jojo becomes conflicted when Elsa warns him of the dire consequences his mother would face if her secret is revealed. Eventually, he concedes to protect her, hoping to extract "Hebrew secrets" for his propaganda work, finding amusement in the idea. Elsa indulges his curiosity by fabricating humorous tales of imaginary Hebrew powers, which Jojo finds entertaining. However, his relationship with Rosie becomes strained as he wrongly accuses her of disloyalty for harboring Elsa, while Rosie counters that hope and optimism are essential for resisting tyranny.
As Jojo continues to engage with Elsa, he learns about her desire to reunite with her boyfriend, Nathan, when the war is over. In a misguided attempt to aid her, he forges a letter from Nathan, which includes a breakup message. After overhearing Elsa's sorrow, Jojo writes a retraction. Their dynamic shifts as Jojo grapples with his conflicting feelings, and an argument with Adolf ensues, where the imaginary figure claims Elsa represents a threat. Meanwhile, during one of his rallying efforts to support the war, Jojo captures a glimpse of his mother publicly advocating for a "free Germany."
The tension escalates when the Gestapo, headed by Captain Deertz, conducts a raid on Jojo's home. As chaos unfolds, Klenzendorf fortuitously arrives to assist. Elsa cleverly impersonates Inge and manages to evade detection by reciting false details from her memories. Despite Jojo's relief, the complexity of the situation grows when Elsa realizes she made an error while answering the Gestapo's inquiries, leaving her vulnerable. Tragically, Jojo soon finds himself mourning the loss of his mother after discovering she has been hanged in the town square. Overwhelmed by grief, he lashes out at Elsa, wounding her but ultimately collapsing into despair in her arms.
Later, Jojo encounters Yorki, his friend turned soldier, who reveals the shocking news of Hitler's suicide and the advancing Allies. During this ongoing turmoil, he meets Fraulein Rahm, who is enlisting children for battle and gives Jojo a soldier's coat, only to be killed shortly after. As the battle reaches its climax, Jojo finds himself entangled with the remaining German forces, ultimately confronting Klenzendorf, who makes a bold sacrifice to save him. When the Soviets capture Jojo, Klenzendorf's actions reveal a deeper understanding of humanity, transcending the horrors surrounding them.
In a desperate attempt to keep Elsa from leaving, Jojo spins a tale of Germany's supposed victory. In a touching moment, he writes her a fabricated message claiming Nathan is alive and eager to help her escape. Yet, the harsh truth comes to light as Elsa discloses Nathan's tragic fate. In an unexpected turn of emotion, Jojo confesses his feelings for her, which she reciprocates in a fraternal manner. Confronted by his imaginary Adolf, who scorns him for siding with Elsa, Jojo banishes him, symbolically severing ties with the ideology he had once embraced. Finally, Jojo leads Elsa outdoors, where reality dawns on them amidst the victory celebrations of the Allies. After a poignant confrontation, their friendship blossoms as they share a dance in the streets, embracing the triumph of compassion over prejudice.
