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 Last of Us is a drama series set two decades after modern society collapses, depicting a journey across a post-apocalyptic United States. The narrative centers on Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of a restrictive quarantine zone. This initial assignment develops into a survival story, forcing both characters to depend on each other as they navigate a dangerous landscape.
The series explores themes of survival, infection, and people smuggling within a world reshaped by an epidemic. As an adaptation of a video game, it delves into the emotional and physical challenges faced by its characters, focusing on their personal struggles amidst widespread destruction. The narrative includes sequences of action and horror, set against a backdrop of complex moral choices.
Critically, the series has garnered attention for its character portrayals and storyline development. It balances its dramatic core with elements of its source material, aiming to deliver a consistent experience to both new audiences and fans of the game. With a strong reception evident in its 9 out of 10 average vote from over 5,400 reviews on TMDB, and an 8.5/10 on IMDb from over 734,000 votes, the show has resonated with many viewers, securing a second season.
Why you might be searching for The Last of Us
People are searching for "The Last of Us" due to its post-apocalyptic setting, focusing on themes like a government-created disease, fungal infections, and the struggle for survival. Specific searches highlight emotional scenes, character dynamics like a man protecting a daughter figure, and detailed plot points related to the infection and personal relationships.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes the series as the first live-action video game adaptation to achieve an "unprecedented level of excellence," highlighting the complex character study of Joel and Ellie as driven by themes of grief, trauma, and moral dilemmas. The review praises Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey's performances, noting the show's balance of intimate moments with violent action and Gustavo Santaolalla's fitting score.
Read the full reviewA cautious viewer appreciated the first episode, noting that despite a slower pace than the game's opening, it effectively set the stage. This reviewer, who considers The Last of Us a favorite game, hopes the creators continue to show attention to detail and fan-oriented storytelling, believing it could become one of the best game adaptations.
Read the full reviewOne viewer expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating they would prefer to play the second game rather than watch more of the show due to perceived deviations from the game's lore and characters. They compared the show negatively to adaptations of other well-known fantasy properties.
Read the full reviewA reviewer criticized the show for taking cues from the controversial second game, suggesting that characters were reshaped to fit a "new meh narrative." This resulted in a "Strong Female Lead" who is a young girl seemingly more capable than the male lead, leading to a narrative focused on "message above characters."
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream both seasons of "The Last of Us" on Max. Individual episodes of Season 1 are also available for rent or purchase through Prime Video.
"The Last of Us" is not based on a true story; it is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog.
There are currently two seasons of "The Last of Us." A third season has been confirmed by HBO.
On Rotten Tomatoes, "The Last of Us" has received high critical acclaim, with Season 1 holding a 96% Tomatometer score and Season 2 at 92%. The series has also been described as a harrowing journey that brings the video game to life.