Character Relationship Map: Jojo Rabbit

Characters

• Jojo (played by Roman Griffin Davis) — protagonist

  Ten-year-old protagonist and Nazi indoctrinated boy who discovers a hidden Jewish girl, Elsa, in his attic. His journey from fanaticism to empathy is catalyzed by his mother's execution, his imaginary...

• Elsa (played by Thomasin McKenzie) — protagonist

  A teenage Jewish girl and Jojo's deceased sister's friend, secretly hidden by Rosie. She challenges Jojo's radical beliefs through surreal conversations and becomes a catalyst for his moral awakening,...

• Rosie (played by Scarlett Johansson) — supporting

  Jojo's mother and secret German resistance member who distributes anti-Nazi messages. Her capture and public execution devastate Jojo, marking a pivotal turning point in his rejection of Nazi ideology...

• Adolf (played by Taika Waititi) — supporting

  Jojo's imaginary, buffoonish alter-ego representing his internalized Nazi indoctrination. He constantly encourages Jojo's fanaticism, scolds his growing empathy, and is ultimately discarded when Jojo...

• Captain Klenzendorf (played by Sam Rockwell) — supporting

  The disillusioned leader of the local Hitler Youth camp who secretly aids the Betzler family by deceiving the Gestapo. He sacrifices himself to save Jojo by disguising him as Jewish before being execu...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Captain Klenzendorf → Jojo (Professional Youth Leader) — Klenzendorf initially supervises Jojo within the Nazi youth structure.

  Captain Klenzendorf runs the local Hitler Youth training camp where Jojo participates.

• Jojo → Adolf (Meta Imaginary Friend) — Adolf embodies Jojo's internalized ideology and emotional dependence on Nazism.

  Jojo has an imaginary friend named Adolf, portrayed as a buffoonish version of Adolf Hitler.

• Jojo → Rosie (Family Mother) — Rosie is Jojo's loving mother and moral influence.

  Rosie is explicitly identified as Jojo's mother and protects him after his training injury.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Adolf → Elsa (Conflict Ideological Antagonist) — Adolf represents the ideology that defines Elsa as an enemy.

  Adolf confronts Jojo after Jojo sides with Elsa and opposes his empathy toward her.

• Captain Klenzendorf → Rosie (Alliance Protective Ally) — Despite serving the regime, Klenzendorf secretly protects Rosie's household.

  Klenzendorf helps deceive the Gestapo when they investigate the house while Rosie is away.

• Jojo → Elsa (Social Hidden Housemate) — Their forced proximity develops into a transformative personal bond.

  Jojo discovers Elsa hidden in the attic and continues interacting with her inside the house.

• Rosie → Elsa (Alliance Protector) — Rosie risks her life to shelter Elsa from Nazi persecution.

  Rosie hides Elsa behind the walls of Inge's attic bedroom, knowing discovery could bring the death penalty.

• Captain Klenzendorf → Elsa (Alliance Secret Protector) — He risks punishment by concealing Elsa's Jewish identity.

  Klenzendorf deceives the Gestapo about Elsa's identity during their investigation.

Story Analysis

A Nazi-indoctrinated boy abandons hatred and discovers empathy through friendship, loss, and moral courage.

Plot Progression

1. The Rabbit Who Failed — Jojo enters Nazi youth training and tries to prove his fanaticism. His injury and humiliation expose the vulnerability beneath his ideological performance.
2. The Girl Behind the Wall — Jojo discovers Elsa hidden in the attic and treats her as an enemy. Their dangerous conversations begin to undermine his inherited prejudices.
3. Secrets Beneath Indoctrination — Jojo grows attached to Elsa while Rosie conducts resistance work. The Gestapo search raises the threat surrounding the household.
4. The Cost of Defiance — Rosie's execution destroys Jojo's remaining faith in the regime. Elsa comforts him, and the truth about his father's opposition deepens his awakening.
5. A World Without Adolf — War reaches Falkenheim, and Klenzendorf sacrifices himself to save Jojo. Jojo rejects Adolf, tells Elsa the truth, and celebrates liberation with her.