HBO’s The Last of Us has the potential to be the biggest show of 2023. With a star-studded cast, gorgeous soundtrack, a high-stakes post-apocalyptic world, it has all the ingredients of a cult classic. The plot and characters are tried and tested, already beloved by millions of gamers around the world. And now Joel and Ellie’s story is set to reach a new audience this January. And HBO is teasing us with a new trailer. Let’s break it down.
The official trailer focuses primarily on the characters, and the relationship between them. Which makes sense, because the bond that forms between Joel and Ellie as they travel across America is what makes The Last of Us unique.
Joel and Ellie both have tragic pasts. They know that loss is almost an inevitable end to every relationship in a world torn apart by the cordyceps virus – the Infected kill anyone they find, and many survivors have sacrificed their humanity. And though Ellie starts off as nothing more than “cargo” to Joel, the trailer shows his more caring side too, as he stands between Ellie and danger.
By all accounts, Pedro Pascal is legendary as Joel. What little footage we have nails his character. Joel’s quiet strength and gruff responses to Ellie’s questions perfectly mirror the game. Troy Baker – who voiced our favourite survivalist dad in both video games – was full of praise. “I am inspired by Pedro’s performance as Joel,” Baker said on the Play, Watch, Listen podcast. “I wish that I could go back and do some things different.”
If the trailer is any indication, Bella Ramsey’s Ellie is the biggest departure from the source material. We see Joel and Tess discovering her immunity – the reason Ellie is important enough to be smuggled across the country. And we see Ellie imitating a Clicker, pretending to be infected.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Ellie’s a kid, which means she can be playful and immature. But if HBO create too many changes in a beloved character, they risk backlash from fans. It’s hard to imagine Ellie messing around in a life-or-death situation during the game. Joel and Tess were ready to kill her until the militia showed up, and enough time passed that they had no choice but to believe her. It was a tense moment, not a funny one.
A shift in Ellie’s characterisation could also affect future seasons of The Last of Us (assuming it’s renewed). In Part II of the video game, Ellie is the main protagonist – and the deadliest lesbian in gaming history. The choices she makes that set the second game in motion are closely tied to her values and personality.
That being said, the trailer is two minutes and twenty-four seconds long. It’s too short to make a decision about how good the show is, or how loyal an adaptation. And Ellie’s optimism – the way she continues to believe in other people, despite all the terrible things she’s seen – are a key part of her character during this stage of the story.
There are many instantly recognisable scenes in the trailer. Joel, Tess, and Ellie walking towards the Capital Building’s golden roof; Ellie riding hell for leather through the snow. But sapphic viewers will be especially glad to see Ellie posing in a photobooth with Riley. Whenever a lesbian story is adapted for screen, there’s always a worry that the romance between female characters will be written out. But the nostalgic ‘80s music of the trailer added to the magic of their night exploring an abandoned mall together.
The Last of Us trailer also gives our first glimpse of Henry and Sam – the brothers Joel and Ellie join forces with in war-torn Pittsburgh. Though this clip is fleeting, it’s also direct, sharing the reason Henry decides to trust Joel: “You might not be her father, but you were someone’s.” It’s a powerful moment. And also a strong indicator that the show will be loyal to the games.
Speaking of, there’s one face that long-term fans will be very happy to see. Merle Dandridge voiced Marlene in the video games – leader of the revolutionary Fireflies. And she’s back for HBO’s The Last of Us! Dandridge’s charisma and intensity made it entirely believable that people gave their lives for her cause, so we already know she has what it takes to be Marlene.
The trailer ends with our first glimpse of stage four infected, AKA the Bloater. In the video games these are boss level enemies – big, strong, and covered in a fungus so thick it acts as armor. To make matters worse, Bloaters still have the power of echolocation, which means that even sneaky players can’t always avoid that Instant Kill.
And if the trailer’s any indication, HBO have done a brilliant job of bringing Bloaters to life. With a stunning combination of make-up and prosthetics, they’ve managed to recreate the visceral horror these monsters inspire.
The Last of Us will be on HBO from January 15th
