Scarlett Johansson's accent in Jojo Rabbit is a German accent.
Portraying Rosie Betzler with a German Accent
In Taika Waititi's unique 2019 film Jojo Rabbit, Scarlett Johansson takes on the role of Rosie Betzler, the spirited and secretly anti-Nazi mother of the titular character. For this portrayal, set in World War II Germany, Johansson adopted a German accent to authenticate her character's origins.
While Johansson's performance earned her widespread critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, her particular accent choice in the film did draw comment. Some viewers found Scarlett Johansson's German accent difficult to listen to, especially within the context of a film where only certain characters spoke with a German accent, leading to a stylistic contrast among the cast.
The Role of Accents in Jojo Rabbit's Stylistic Choices
Jojo Rabbit deliberately employs a diverse approach to accents among its characters, which contributes to its distinct satirical and darkly comedic tone. This decision means that while some characters, like Rosie, speak with a German accent, others maintain American or British accents, or variations thereof. This approach is not intended for strict historical accuracy but rather serves the film's broader narrative and thematic goals, blurring the lines between reality and Jojo's naive perspective.
| Character | Actor | Accent Type (for context within film) |
|---|---|---|
| Rosie Betzler | Scarlett Johansson | German |
| Jojo Betzler | Roman Griffin Davis | British-influenced (subtle) |
| Captain Klenzendorf | Sam Rockwell | American |
| Elsa Korr | Thomasin McKenzie | New Zealander/British-influenced |
This intentional inconsistency in accents underlines the film's surreal elements and its unique method of critiquing historical events. Despite varied reception regarding its execution, Johansson's German accent was a key component of her characterization, firmly placing Rosie within the narrative's German backdrop while contributing to the film's overall distinctive atmosphere.
For more details on the film and its cast, you can visit the official IMDb page for Jojo Rabbit.
