A new trailer for Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit is officially released online. The film, which is based on the novel Caging Skies, is one of the more anticipated offerings of the fall due to the combination of premise and talent involved. It tells the story of Jojo Betzler, a Hitler youth who discovers his mother is secretly sheltering a Jewish girl in their home. Described as an “anti-hate satire,” Jojo Rabbit has already made headlines thanks to Waititi’s portrayal of Jojo’s imaginary friend, a fictionalized version of Adolf Hitler. Based on the Jojo Rabbit teaser trailer from earlier this year, the film looks to be the ideal outlet for Waititi’s sensibilities, combining humor and heartfelt emotion.
Fox Searchlight is clearly confident in what they have. Not only are they positioning Jojo Rabbit for a deep Oscar run by screening it at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, they wasted no time in continuing business with Waititi. Recently, Waititi signed on to direct Fox Searchlight’s Next Goal Wins, before he shifts his attention to Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder. Fortunately, it won’t be much longer until audiences know if Jojo Rabbit lives up to the hype, but until then, there’s a new preview to check out.
Today, Fox Searchlight unveiled a new Jojo Rabbit trailer, just days before its premiere in Toronto. Check it out for yourself in the space below:
This full-length trailer expands upon what was hinted at in the initial teaser, shedding more light on the main narrative. In particular, Jojo’s internal conflict is played up here, as the young protagonist is torn between his desire to be a dedicated Nazi soldier and doing what’s morally right. It looks like Jojo Rabbit features a poignant coming-of-age aspect a la Hunt for the Wilderpeople, with both Jojo’s mother Rosie and the young Jewish girl, Elsa, challenging his outlook on life. Of course, this doesn’t please Waititi’s Hitler, so it should be fun and fascinating to watch the character dynamics unfold over the course of the film. And while Jojo Rabbit will surely pack an emotional punch, Waititi’s trademark sense of humor is ever-present in the trailer, be it via Hitler’s extravagant feast or the dark comedy of children accidentally firing off a weapon. The director’s demonstrated before he can balance wildly different tones, so he’ll be in his wheelhouse in that regard.
Jojo Rabbit made was in the news earlier when it was reported Disney executives were uncomfortable with the film’s biting satire, fearing it could alienate the studio’s target audience (Disney now owns Fox Searchlight through the Disney/Fox deal). Fortunately, it looks like Jojo Rabbit got by without any studio interference and will be seen as Waititi intended. That isn’t surprising, given Waititi’s relationship with Disney, but still encouraging. Fox Searchlight has a prolific history at the Oscars, and Jojo Rabbit looks like one that could make some noise if it lives up to its potential.
Key Release Dates
Jojo Rabbit
Release Date:2019-10-18
