The Last of Us Review: A Rare Great Game Adaptation
9/10 — The Last of Us (2023)
Pros
- Pascal and Ramsey's chemistry
- Emotional storytelling
- Standout Bill and Frank episode
Cons
- Familiar to game players
- Slow in places
Twenty years after a fungal outbreak devastated civilisation, hardened smuggler Joel is tasked with escorting a teenager, Ellie, across the United States. It adapts the PlayStation game created by Neil Druckmann.
What works
Pascal and Ramsey have excellent chemistry, and the series takes the time to explore its world’s emotional side. The third episode, a love story starring Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, is a standout, and the infected are properly scary.
Where it falters
The pace of some episodes is slow, and the show follows the game closely, so the biggest twists may be familiar to players.
Verdict
A moving, well-crafted adaptation.
