The Last of Us Season 1: Does It Live Up to the Legend?
When HBO announced it was adapting Naughty Dog's beloved video game The Last of Us, expectations were sky-high — and understandably so. The source material is widely considered one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming. The result? A television series that not only honors the original but stands entirely on its own as a landmark piece of prestige TV.
What the Show Gets Right
At its core, The Last of Us is a story about love, loss, and what it means to be human when civilization has collapsed. The show leans fully into this emotional core, and it pays off in spades.
- Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller — A career-defining performance. Pascal communicates decades of grief and hardness through body language alone.
- Bella Ramsey as Ellie — Initially divisive among fans of the game, Ramsey quickly silences doubters with a performance full of wit, rage, and heartbreak.
- Episode 3: "Long, Long Time" — Widely regarded as one of the finest standalone TV episodes in recent memory. It's a love story embedded within the apocalypse, and it is absolutely unforgettable.
Production Value & World-Building
The production design is extraordinary. The overgrown, fungal-infested world feels genuinely lived-in and terrifying. Locations across Canada double brilliantly for a crumbling America, and the attention to detail in costumes, sets, and practical effects is top-tier.
The Clickers — the show's primary monster — are rendered with horrifying authenticity. The sound design for these creatures alone is nightmare fuel of the highest order.
Where It Stumbles (Slightly)
No show is perfect. A few episodes in the middle of the season lose momentum slightly as the narrative slows to accommodate world-building. Some fans of the game may feel certain action sequences are underplayed in favor of dialogue-heavy scenes. Whether that's a criticism or a compliment depends entirely on what you're looking for.
Verdict
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| Writing & Story | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performances | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Visual Style | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pacing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The Last of Us Season 1 is essential television. Whether you've played the game or have never heard of it, this series delivers one of the most emotionally resonant viewing experiences in recent years. It's a brutal, beautiful, and deeply human story that earns every tear it wrings from you.
Streaming now on Max.