The Last of Us (2023)
Twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed, Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the United States and depend on each other for survival.
Details
First Air Date
1/15/2023
Last Air Date
3/12/2023
Network
HBO
Rating
9/10 (5417 votes)
Status
Returning Series
Production Companies
PlayStation Productions, Sony Pictures Television, Naughty Dog, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, HBO
About The Last of Us
The HBO series "The Last of Us" takes place two decades after a global catastrophe destroys modern civilization. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a 14-year-old, out of a quarantine zone. Their journey across the United States forces them to rely on each other in a brutal, post-apocalyptic landscape.
The series is a drama built on themes of survival, infection, and people smuggling, drawing from its video game origins. It explores the emotional toll of a world ravaged by an epidemic, focusing on the human elements within a dangerous environment. With two seasons and 16 episodes, the show is a returning series.
"The Last of Us" has garnered significant attention, maintaining an average rating of 9 based on over 5,000 votes, and an IMDb rating of 8.4 from over 700,000 votes. Its exploration of a post-apocalyptic future and its roots in a popular video game have made it a notable entry in the genre, with many viewers specifically searching for its unique blend of character-driven narrative and intense survival elements.
Why you might be searching for The Last of Us
Viewers often search for "The Last of Us" due to its compelling post-apocalyptic setting, the dynamic between its main characters, Joel and Ellie, and its reputation as a video game adaptation. People are frequently looking for details about specific emotional moments, such as a character facing a zombified loved one, or the show's handling of the infection and survival aspects.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer praised the series as the first live-action video game adaptation to achieve excellence, citing its complex character study, compelling protagonists, and effective episodic narrative with strong performances, particularly from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
Read the full reviewA viewer, initially cautious after past negative experiences with video game adaptations, was pleasantly surprised by the first episode's quality, noting its appropriate pacing and attention to detail, which hinted at the potential for a faithful and well-executed adaptation.
Read the full reviewA reviewer felt the show was mediocre despite its potential, criticizing the casting of main characters like Ellie, the lack of chemistry between actors, and what they saw as pointless deviations from the original game's story, particularly in episode three.
Read the full reviewOne viewer strongly disliked the series, stating it had nothing to do with the game's lore or characters and found it to be a "bore-fest," comparing its quality unfavorably to other adaptations.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream both seasons of "The Last of Us" on HBO Max.
"The Last of Us" is not based on a true story. It is a post-apocalyptic drama television series adapted from the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog.
There are currently two seasons of "The Last of Us." The first season, which premiered in January 2023, has nine episodes, and the second season, which premiered in April 2025, has seven episodes. A third season is expected to air in 2027.
"The Last of Us" has received critical acclaim, with many calling it the best adaptation of a video game. The first season has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the second season has a 92% approval rating, with critics praising its performances, writing, and production design. The series also won nine Primetime Emmy Awards.