‘The Last of Us’ exceeds expectations and is “the best adaptation of a video game” according to early reviews

‘The Last of Us’ series, written by Craig Mazin (‘Chernobyl’) adapting the hit dystopian video game created by Naughty Boy, is one of the most anticipated premieres in recent times and will arrive on Monday January 16 on HBO Max. The story follows (Pedro Pascal), who survives in a world dominated by a pandemic caused by the mutation of the Cordyceps fungus, and who must deliver teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to a group looking for the hope of immunity in her. Along the way, they’ll form a warm friendship. The first international media critics have already announced their verdict, punctuating it with a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes as of the date of this article.

In the early reviews there is absolute unanimity that this is a very good adaptation. “This is hands down the best adaptation of a video game ever made”says Empire, even as many other journalists repeat the same line. Empire credits that to his ability to do so “delving into the dystopian storyline of the game while staying true to its emotional core. Like the game, it is also a masterpiece”. The BBC agrees, although admits it isn’t “Perfect”, emphasizing that the medium itself makes it impossible: it is precisely the immersion of the video game that allows us to fully grasp its essence. Though Vanity Fair also calls it the best adaptation to date, it writes instead that It’s not a revolutionbut “it’s just a well-made television” and is positioned “slightly above” from other projects of the same kind.

‘The Last of Us’ couldn’t work without the great chemistry between its two leads, Elly and Joel, for which they receive much praise from journalists. “It’s no surprise that Pascal and Ramsey nail every scene they’re in”writes the Evening Standard. For its part, Rolling Stone says their renditions could be seen over and over again and they are “instantly captivating”. “Ellie and Joel’s relationship isn’t just the heart of the show, it’s the show itself”says The Hollywood Reporter.

that third episode

For Collider, the adaptation goes even further: “It’s amazing that ‘The Last of Us’ as a series can get even better [el amor]despite the depths of darkness this story sinks into”. This is also made palpable in the third episode, which tells the love story between two men, Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), and is a break from the violence of the series, as well as being innovative for deepening a plot LGTB+ and in the character of Bill far beyond what is done in the video game. The BBC defines it as “a beautiful and exquisitely rendered exploration of the central theme of ‘The Last of Us’: that the ashes of the world are enough, as long as there is someone to live among them”. For Collider, “The episode completely subverts what audiences have come to expect from this character, and becomes one of the most endearing and exquisite episodes on television”.

‘The Last of Us’ will be available on HBO Max from Monday 16 January. Now you can read our review.