HBO’s 2-Part Post-Apocalyptic Series Is Worth A One-Weekend Binge

While HBO’s The Last of Us isn’t perfect, the post-apocalyptic video game adaptation is an ideal binge-watch for fans of the genre. Based on the acclaimed video game series of the same name, The Last of Us is a long-awaited TV adaptation that follows Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ella as they trek across a devastated America.

The world’s population has been largely wiped out by a terrible fungal infection by the time The Last Of Us’s story begins, with this disease turning victims into grotesque, murderous monsters. Where small pockets of civilization do survive, they range from lonely survivalists to conflicted resistance leaders.

HBO’s The Last Of Us Nailed The Atmosphere Of The Games

Joel (Pedro Pascal) looking angry in The Last of Us.

Like the source video game The Last Of Us is based on, the show was met with critical acclaim upon its release. Many reviewers called the first season the best video game show of all time, despite tight competition from the likes of Fallout, Castlevania, and Arcane, and Ramsey and Pascal’s central roles earned almost universal acclaim.

While season 2 of the series received a slightly more mixed reception, Ramsay’s performance remained a highlight, while series newcomer Isabel Merced was singled out for praise as Dina. Moreover, both seasons undeniably captured the unique tone and atmosphere of the games, including their delicate balance of action and drama.

How The Last Of Us Broke The Video Game Adaptation Curse

Ellie and Joel in The Last of Us season 2

The patient pacing of The Last of Us and its sequel was controversial when the games were originally released, as their reliance on moments of quiet interpersonal drama broke with the usual action-forward style of horror adventure games. Wisely, The Last Of Us’s screen adaptation opted to not only maintain this pacing, but slow down the show’s story even more.

This might sound like the kiss of death for a post-apocalyptic sci-fi series, since it seems fair to assume that most viewers aren’t tuning in to see personal drama between the show’s heroes. However, The Last of Us proved this isn’t necessarily true. Where earlier video game adaptations tried too hard to replicate the first-person thrills of gameplay, this adaptation centered on its characters.

When Is The Last Of Us Season 3 Coming Out?

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last of Us pointing a gun downwards while looking at someone

The Last of Us’s saddest moments felt truly moving, and the show’s glimmers of hope were genuinely sweet. By never simply replicating the games, The Last of Us created a complex, layered, and poignant story from its source material. Hopefully, HBO’s classic will be able to maintain this high quality when The Last of Us season 3 arrives in 2027.