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 a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a survivor, who takes on the task of transporting 14-year-old Ellie across a ravaged United States. The journey quickly becomes dangerous, forcing them to rely on each other to survive through a landscape marked by infection and constant threat. The series explores themes of survival and a post-apocalyptic future, drawing from its video game origins.
The narrative focuses on the relationship between Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world where civilization has collapsed. Keywords such as "people smuggling," "post-apocalyptic future," and "based on video game" highlight the series' core elements. It blends personal drama with the intense challenges of an epidemic-ridden world, aiming to create a compelling and often brutal viewing experience.
Why you might be searching for The Last of Us
People are often searching for this series due to its post-apocalyptic setting and intense survival themes. Specific plot points that capture attention include a character with a plant-like virus and the evolving dynamic between a hardened survivor and a young girl. The show's connection to a popular video game also drives searches, with many looking for details about how the adaptation handles familiar characters and story elements, especially controversial deviations or character portrayals.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer found the series to be a poor adaptation, claiming it diverged too much from the game's lore and characters, comparing it unfavorably to other adaptations.
Read the full reviewAnother review praised the series as a successful video game adaptation, highlighting its complex character studies of Joel and Ellie, strong performances, and effective episodic storytelling.
Read the full reviewA viewer who was initially cautious due to past video game adaptations expressed pleasant surprise, particularly with the first episode's pacing and detailed storytelling, noting its potential to be a top adaptation.
Read the full reviewA reviewer felt the show took cues from the game's controversial second installment, arguing it reshaped characters to fit a "new narrative" and presented a "Strong Female Lead" who is overly capable compared to the male protagonist.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream all seasons of The Last of Us on HBO Max. Subscriptions for HBO Max start at $10.99 per month.
No, The Last of Us is not based on a true story. It is a post-apocalyptic drama series created for HBO, adapted from the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog.
There are currently two seasons of The Last of Us. The first season premiered in 2023, and the second season premiered in April 2025.
The Last of Us has received critical acclaim, with a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 83/100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim." Many critics have called it the best adaptation of a video game.