The Last of Us

Two decades after a fungal pandemic shattered modern life, Joel, a scarred smuggler who keeps most feelings locked down, is paid to escort Ellie, a wary 14-year-old, out of a tightly controlled quarantine zone. What begins as a simple job turns into a dangerous, emotionally raw trip across a ruined United States, where supplies are scarce and threats come from desperate people and infected creatures. Miles and hardships wear on them, and Joel and Ellie build an uneasy, evolving bond that reshapes priorities and forces repeated moral choices. Their relationship becomes the emotional core, and the series stays focused on survival logistics, trust under pressure, and how trauma and tenderness can exist side by side without revealing key outcomes.

Released on HBO in 2023, the series was created by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin and adapts Naughty Dog's 2013 video game. The principal cast includes Bella Ramsey, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, and Young Mazino. It premiered to significant attention.

The show drew heavy awards attention during television award seasons, securing numerous nominations across acting, writing, cinematography, and production design. Industry critics and peer groups repeatedly cited its adaptation approach, performances, and technical craft, with outcomes varying across different ceremonies.

Audiences and critics rated the series highly, reflected in an average vote of 8.462 out of 10 from 6,666 votes. Reviews often praised the performances and careful adaptation work, noting strong pacing, tonal discipline, and the emotional weight of scenes that address survival, parental bonds, moral ambiguity, and lingering trauma.

The Last of Us sparked active online discussion about faithfulness to the game, casting choices, and some scenes that prompted strong fan reactions. It renewed mainstream interest in narrative video game adaptations, generated fan creativity and commentary across social platforms, and shaped debates about how interactive stories translate to television.