The Last of Us
The Last of Us is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series created for HBO, based on the critically acclaimed video game franchise. Set decades after a global pandemic caused by a mutated Cordyceps fungus transforms humans into zombie-like creatures, the narrative follows hardened survivor Joel Miller and 14-year-old Ellie Williams, who is immune to the infection. Their perilous journey across a ravaged United States is fraught with encounters with both the grotesque 'Infected' and dangerous human factions, exploring themes of survival, loss, love, and the complex bonds that form in a world stripped bare. The series is known for its intense storytelling, character development, and high-quality production, presenting a grim yet deeply emotional depiction of humanity's struggle against overwhelming odds. It is intended for mature audiences due to its graphic and challenging content.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series features prominent LGBTQ+ characters and relationships as integral parts of the narrative. This includes a central lesbian protagonist (Ellie), a significant gay couple (Bill and Frank), and introduces bisexual and transgender characters in storylines adapted from the games.
Episode 3 of Season 1 is dedicated to the romantic relationship between Bill and Frank, depicting their life together and intimate moments. Ellie, the co-protagonist, is explicitly lesbian, with her first kiss with Riley shown in Season 1, Episode 7. Season 2 will further explore Ellie's romantic and sexual relationship with Dina, a bisexual character, including intimate scenes. The source material (The Last of Us Part II) also features Lev, a transgender male character who experiences significant prejudice and violence from a religious cult due to his gender identity.
Violence
HighThe series contains extreme and graphic violence, central to its post-apocalyptic horror genre. Depictions include brutal attacks by mutated 'Infected' creatures, intense gun and knife combat, severe hand-to-hand fighting with bloody injuries, and scenes of torture and murder.
Zombies (the 'Infected') are shown attacking and eating people, resulting in graphic depictions of gore and bloody injuries, such as open neck wounds. The initial outbreak in Episode 1 portrays widespread chaos, car crashes, and civilian deaths. In Season 1, Episode 8, Joel brutally tortures two individuals, using punches, stabs, and threats to extract information, while Ellie is shown breaking a captor's fingers, biting him until he bleeds, and ultimately killing David with a meat cleaver.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe series includes romantic and sexual content, featuring both heterosexual and same-sex relationships, with scenes of kissing, implied sexual activity, and partial nudity. There is also a highly disturbing instance of attempted sexual assault.
Season 1, Episode 3 features a non-explicit sex scene between Bill and Frank, shown above the waist, and characters are seen in bed in a post-coital scene with partial nudity. A critical and disturbing scene in Season 1, Episode 8 involves the character David attempting to sexually assault the underage Ellie, explicitly stating, 'I thought you already knew, the fighting is the part I like the most,' before she fights back and kills him. Future seasons will depict Ellie and Dina's romantic and sexual relationship, including kissing and implied sexual encounters.
Profanity
HighThe series features pervasive and strong offensive language, including frequent use of explicit curse words. This aligns with the gritty and intense nature of its post-apocalyptic setting.
Content warnings for Season 1, Episode 1, explicitly state that 'Offensive language is used throughout the episode'. The series includes a wide range of strong expletives, such as 'c**t', 'f**k', 'shit', 'dick', 'bitch', 'ass', 'screw', 'damn', and 'hell'.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series is categorized as a post-apocalyptic horror-drama and features consistently scary and intense content. This includes grotesque, fast-moving 'Infected' creatures, frequent jump scares, graphic violence, and sustained psychological tension derived from the perilous world.
The 'Infected' (such as Clickers and Bloaters) are visually disturbing and relentlessly aggressive, posing a constant, terrifying threat. Early episodes include multiple jump scares and scenes of widespread panic during the initial outbreak. The pervasive danger from both the infected and hostile human factions creates a high level of sustained threat and psychological intensity throughout the characters' journey.
Substance Use
MediumThe series includes visible depictions and references to substance use, primarily alcohol and smoking, as well as verbal mentions of drug dealing and abuse of prescription drugs.
Joel is shown engaging in substance use, including alcohol and unspecified drugs, which he keeps hidden in his apartment. Characters are also depicted smoking 'homespun, home-rolled cigarettes,' which function as a form of currency in the post-apocalyptic world. The series further includes references to 'oxytocin abuse and verbal references to drug dealing.'
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe series portrays instances of disrespect and rebellious behavior, particularly through the character of Ellie. Her actions often involve challenging authority figures and defying rules, stemming from her independent nature and experiences in a harsh world.
Ellie frequently exhibits a disrespectful attitude and talks back to authority figures like Jesse and Tommy, especially when they attempt to restrict her actions or express concern, often in connection to Joel's protectiveness. In a particularly intense scene in Season 1, Episode 8, while captive, Ellie displays extreme defiance by breaking her captor's fingers and biting another until he bleeds during her struggle for survival.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe series features a group led by the character David in Season 1, Episode 8, who presents himself as a Christian preacher but is depicted as a violent, cannibalistic, and predatory cult leader. This portrayal has drawn criticism for potentially perpetuating an 'anti-Christian bias' in media.
David, the leader of a cannibalistic community, uses Christian rhetoric and reads from the Bible to control his followers, while his true nature is revealed as manipulative, violent, and predatory, culminating in his attempted sexual assault on Ellie. Actor Rainn Wilson and others have critiqued this depiction, suggesting it exemplifies a Hollywood bias where religious figures, particularly Christian, are frequently portrayed as villains or hypocrites.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe series does not depict traditional witchcraft, sorcery, or occult practices. The central 'infected' threat is explained as a biological phenomenon (a mutated Cordyceps fungus) rather than supernatural or magical, although its effects are horrific.
The core premise of the series revolves around a global pandemic caused by a parasitic fungal infection, explicitly rooted in a scientific (albeit fictionalized) biological threat. While the effects of the Cordyceps fungus can appear monstrous, there are no characters performing spells, rituals, or engaging in supernatural magic as a plot device within the show's narrative.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-MA (for mature audiences 17+) due to extreme violence, graphic content, pervasive strong language, sexual content including nudity and attempted sexual assault, and disturbing thematic elements. Younger viewers, even older teenagers, are likely to find the content traumatizing or inappropriate.
Additional Notes
The show is a direct adaptation of mature video games and maintains their grim, violent, and thematically heavy tone. Parents should be aware that while some content is adapted directly, the visual and emotional impact can be significantly heightened in live-action. Discussions around difficult themes like loss, morality, and survival are central. The pacing may feel slow at times for some viewers, contrasting with its intense action sequences. Future seasons are expected to continue adapting The Last of Us Part II, which is known for its even darker and more controversial themes.
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