Why Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' Includes a Queer Storyline

Home>
Culture>
Movies>
Why Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit Includes a Queer Storyline
Why Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit Includes a Queer Storyline
The writer/actor/director talks to PRIDE's Raffy Ermac about the decision to have a queer storyline in his satirical dark comedy.
By Raffy ErmacOctober 18 2019 / 9:00 AM
Raffy Ermac
Raffy is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, video creator, critic, and digital director of Out Magazine. The former editor-in-chief of PRIDE, he is also a die-hard Rihanna and Sailor Moon stan who loves to write about all things pop culture, entertainment, and identities. Follow him on Instagram (@raffyermac) and Twitter (@byraffy), and subscribe to his YouTube channel. 
 See Full Bio 
Trending Stories
Nancy Pelosi, fierce LGBTQ+ ally, announces retirement
It’s National PrEP Day! Learn the latest about HIV prevention
Straight Nonsense: Beware the Trumpy divas
Amazing People of 2025: Javier Muñoz
This small Pennsylvania town just elected the state's first-ever out transgender mayor
The 10 states that have passed the most anti-LGBTQ+ laws this year
Messenger RNA could be the key to an HIV vaccine — but government cuts pose a threat
Thanks to U=U, HIV-positive people can live long, happy, healthy lives
The Talk: Starting the conversation
Is marriage equality at risk? Understanding Kim Davis's Supreme Court appeal
'Wicked: One Wonderful Night': 5 wonderfully gay moments
Chrishell Stause leaves Selling Sunset, says her style will 'probably become more gay'
Who's afraid of Kieron Moore? 'Blue Film' breakout star bares all
Virginia farm owned by the 'Gardening Gays' was vandalized with medical waste and human feces
Queer ex-Marine Corps drill instructor channels leadership & Netflix’s ‘Boots’ in Arizona congressional run
Recommended Stories for You
What is a Jubilee? These Catholics just became the first LGBTQ+ people to participate
The 10 states that have passed the most anti-LGBTQ+ laws this year — and how locals are fighting back
UNITY at Sphere is the perfect Las Vegas attraction for gay tourists
Cruising the world helped this gay couple find lasting love
Lady Gaga breaks records and brings 'Mayhem' to the 2026 Grammys
More than a month: Prioritizing LGBTQ+ health year-round
Haters will hate! Bad Bunny makes Grammys history for Latinos
10 LGBTQ+ leaders who've changed the face of global politics
This gay guy is 'so bad at cruising' that the internet had to come to the rescue with sexy tips
Explore the camp, parties, and parade of Provincetown Carnival 2025
Florida attorney general calls for cancellation of 'demonic' Christmas drag show in Pensacola
Malta is the secret Pride destination where gays are going wild
'Jeopardy!' champ Amy Schneider schools Pete Hegseth on drag in the military
'Real Housewives' star Kyle Richards seemingly comes out as bisexual — FINALLY
The Talk: Beyond the exam room
Marriage equality will be banned in these 31 states if Obergefell is overturned
How the government shutdown is affecting LGBTQ+ people — and what bad legislation is upcoming
When love sinks, set sail for the Hudson Navigator
The lab coat just got queer
​Damian Hardung strips down & gets drenched in sexy viral clip
This heavenly hotel in the heart of Hell's Kitchen is the perfect oasis
“I am the steward of my ship”: John Gibson rewrites his HIV narrative
Top 10 LGBTQ+ beach towns perfect for Pride and summer fun
The Talk: Owning your voice
“So much life to live”: Eric Nieves on thriving with HIV
What We Do in the Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok's Taika Waititi just released his latest film Jojo Rabbit, a satirical dark comedy that takes place in World War II Germany. While the film is being praised for its irreverent comedy and timely themes about blind patriotism, acceptance of others, and the human cost of war, there's also a surprisingly queer storyline involving two male characters, Captain Klenzendorf (Oscar winner Sam Rockwell) and his right-hand man Finkel (Game of Thrones' Alfie Allen). 
Watch PRIDE's editor-in-chief Raffy Ermac sit down with the writer/actor/director to talk about making Jojo Rabbit and why it was important for him to include queer representation in it! 
Jojo Rabbit is in LA and NYC theaters now! Watch the official trailer below! 

        
        FROM OUR SPONSORS
        
    

        
        The Latest
        
    
Sports
        Unrivaled basketball teams ranked by how queer they are
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
Nov 07, 2025
Celebrities
        ​Damian Hardung strips down & gets drenched in sexy viral clip
    
Ricky Cornish
Nov 07, 2025
Celebrities
        Nicole Kidman getting ‘arrested’ by Sabrina Carpenter has sapphics spiraling
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
Nov 07, 2025
Movies
        9 steamy lesbian & sapphic shower scenes from TV & movies & where to watch them
    
Pride Staff
Nov 07, 2025
Watch Now: Pride Today

        
        More For You
        
    
Movies
        7 queer actors who should star in 'Jennifer's Body 2'
    
Mey Rude
October 24 2025 / 4:10 PM
(from left) 'Euphoria' star Hunter Schafer; Megan Fox in 'Jennifer's Body'; 'Mean Girls' actor Auli'i Cravalho

        Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock; 20th Century Studios; Fred Duval/Shutterstock
    
Are you ready for more Jennifer's Body?
Director Karyn Kusama, who helmed the original 2009 film, revealed to Deadline this week that screenwriter Diablo Cody is currently writing a sequel to the beloved queer horror classic.
Keep ReadingShow less

        
        Most Popular
        
    
Movies
        13 lesbian and sapphic action movies and where to watch them
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
May 13, 2025
Celebrities
        Paulie Calafiore shows off his cake in sexy new jockstrap pics
    
Ricky Cornish
Nov 03, 2025
Culture
        11 best male nude scenes in pop culture in 2025 (so far)
    
Bernardo Sim
Nov 04, 2025
Love & Sex
        5 things sapphics need to know about sex with an Older Wiser Lesbian, according to sex experts
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
Oct 30, 2025
Celebrities
        Kit Williamson's body is on full display in tight white briefs & gays are drooling
    
Ricky Cornish
Nov 05, 2025
Celebrities
        18 celebs who went from twink to twunk we can’t stop thirsting over
    
Joel Medina
Ariel Messman-Rucker
Oct 28, 2025
Sign Me Up!
Get a roundup of the best in LGBTQ+ culture delivered to your inbox weekly.
Enter your email
Movies
        'Jennifer's Body' director teases sequel is in the works
    
Rachel Kiley
October 24 2025 / 12:06 PM
Megan Fox in Jennifer's Body

        20th Century Fox
    
Fans of Jennifer's Body just got a new gift in time for the Halloween season — an update about the status of the sequel.
The possibility of a sequel to the cult classic has only come up in recent years, as it has finally, finally, finally found its audience. But its been clear that the people behind the film would be hyped to bring it back to the big screen, and it sounds like screenwriter Diablo Cody is still quietly trying to make that happen.
Keep ReadingShow less
Movies
        35 sexy gay scenes in movies that leave you feeling very h-word
    
Andrew J. Stillman
Pride Staff
October 22 2025 / 11:52 AM

        Don't miss these sexy queer masterpieces!
    

        Peccadillo Pictures; USA Films; Fine Line Features
    

Keep ReadingShow less
Movies
        13 lesbian and sapphic outlaw movies and where to watch them
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
October 21 2025 / 3:05 PM
Sapphic outlaw movies

        New Line Cinema; A24; Samuel Goldwyn Company

Keep ReadingShow less
Movies
        9 best gay horror films & where to watch them
    
Ariel Messman-Rucker
October 17 2025 / 4:18 PM
Gay horror films 'Death Drop Gorgeous,' 'Midnight Kiss,' and 'Nightmare on Elm Street 2.'

        Dark Star Pictures; Hulu; New Line Cinema
    
Keep ReadingShow less
Load More

Latest Stories

Sign Me Up!

Why Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit Includes a Queer Storyline

The writer/actor/director talks to PRIDE's Raffy Ermac about the decision to have a queer storyline in his satirical dark comedy.

Trending Stories

Nancy Pelosi, fierce LGBTQ+ ally, announces retirement

It’s National PrEP Day! Learn the latest about HIV prevention

Straight Nonsense: Beware the Trumpy divas

Amazing People of 2025: Javier Muñoz

This small Pennsylvania town just elected the state's first-ever out transgender mayor

The 10 states that have passed the most anti-LGBTQ+ laws this year

Messenger RNA could be the key to an HIV vaccine — but government cuts pose a threat

Thanks to U=U, HIV-positive people can live long, happy, healthy lives

The Talk: Starting the conversation

Is marriage equality at risk? Understanding Kim Davis's Supreme Court appeal

'Wicked: One Wonderful Night': 5 wonderfully gay moments

Chrishell Stause leaves Selling Sunset, says her style will 'probably become more gay'

Who's afraid of Kieron Moore? 'Blue Film' breakout star bares all

Virginia farm owned by the 'Gardening Gays' was vandalized with medical waste and human feces

Queer ex-Marine Corps drill instructor channels leadership & Netflix’s ‘Boots’ in Arizona congressional run

Recommended Stories for You

What is a Jubilee? These Catholics just became the first LGBTQ+ people to participate

The 10 states that have passed the most anti-LGBTQ+ laws this year — and how locals are fighting back

UNITY at Sphere is the perfect Las Vegas attraction for gay tourists

Cruising the world helped this gay couple find lasting love

Lady Gaga breaks records and brings 'Mayhem' to the 2026 Grammys

More than a month: Prioritizing LGBTQ+ health year-round

Haters will hate! Bad Bunny makes Grammys history for Latinos

10 LGBTQ+ leaders who've changed the face of global politics

This gay guy is 'so bad at cruising' that the internet had to come to the rescue with sexy tips

Explore the camp, parties, and parade of Provincetown Carnival 2025

Florida attorney general calls for cancellation of 'demonic' Christmas drag show in Pensacola

Malta is the secret Pride destination where gays are going wild

'Jeopardy!' champ Amy Schneider schools Pete Hegseth on drag in the military

'Real Housewives' star Kyle Richards seemingly comes out as bisexual — FINALLY

The Talk: Beyond the exam room

Marriage equality will be banned in these 31 states if Obergefell is overturned

How the government shutdown is affecting LGBTQ+ people — and what bad legislation is upcoming

When love sinks, set sail for the Hudson Navigator

The lab coat just got queer

​Damian Hardung strips down & gets drenched in sexy viral clip

This heavenly hotel in the heart of Hell's Kitchen is the perfect oasis

“I am the steward of my ship”: John Gibson rewrites his HIV narrative

Top 10 LGBTQ+ beach towns perfect for Pride and summer fun

The Talk: Owning your voice

“So much life to live”: Eric Nieves on thriving with HIV

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

More For You

Hunter Schafer

Auli'i Cravalho

Josie Totah

Joe Locke

Devery Jacobs

Aliyah's Interlude

Jonathan Bailey

Most Popular

Sign Me Up!

Don't miss these sexy queer masterpieces!

1. Twinless

2. Red, White & Royal Blue

3. Pillion

4. Theo and Hugo

5. Passages

6. Rotting in the Sun

7. All of Us Strangers

8. On Swift Horses

9. David's Birthday

10. Kill Your Darlings

11. Plata Quemada (Burnt Money)

12. Wet Hot American Summer

13. Weekend

14. Shelter

15. The Bubble

16. Querelle

17. Shortbus

18. Bent

19. Un Chant D'Amour (A Song of Love)

20. Maurice

21. Caravaggio

Damian Hardung strips down & gets drenched in sexy viral clip