The Last of Us: Existentialism in A Post-Apocalyptic World
By Brooke Manuel, Skyline Editor
Since the first episode of The Last of Us was released in January, the hit series has accumulated 4.7 million viewers and a large fandom that has flooded film critic sites with glowing reviews.
What makes this show stand out above many others is the depth of the characters and the fans' adoration for them.
Based on a videogame that was released in 2013, The Last of Us, an HBO series, follows Ellie and Joel on their journey across America in hopes of saving what is left of the world after a virus hatched in mushrooms creates a pandemic that spawns murderous, zombielike creatures. Ellie and Joel, the two main characters, are an unconventional match. Ellie, whose immunity to the virus promises to save the world, is an outspoken, comical, and strong-willed 14-year-old orphan. Joel is a stoic, impassive, and ‘rough around the edges’ survivalist in his fifties whose daughter was one of the first to die in the apocalypse.
Throughout the show, Ellie and Joel grow an undeniable bond. Joel tries to act like he doesn’t really care about Ellie, but his affection for her emerges in episode six when he is unable to put her safety in his brother’s hands.
Existentialism, the belief that the individual is responsible for creating purpose in life, is a central theme in the show for all the characters.
This theme is heartbreakingly clear in the relationship between two gay male characters during the third episode. Bill and Frank are introduced when Frank stumbles into a trap on Bill’s heavily fortified survivalist compound. Bill, a paranoid and untrusting prepper, is reluctant, at first, to allow Frank within the gates of his fortress.
Despite the rocky start to their relationship, Bill and Frank develop an unforeseen, passionate love for one another. In a world marred by disaster, these two men are unchanged by the barbarity and anguish that plagues humanity. Far from a politically correct attempt at diversity and inclusion, their love story is unique and touching. Bill and Frank’s love is portrayed as woefully beautiful, reminiscent of the passion and true affection between Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, while remaining unique.
Fans of the show have been enraptured by Bill and Frank’s story, with many calling for award nominations
Another noteworthy facet of Bill and Frank’s story is the actors who play them. Bill is played by Nick Offerman, and Frank is played by Murray Bartlett. As a gay man, Bartlett is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and does a magnificent job in his role as Frank. Offerman, on the other hand, is married to a woman and not part of the LGBTQ+ community, although he does support it. As a heterosexual man, his performance surely ranks among some of television’s best.
The efforts of Neil Druckmann, who wrote the film version of The Last of Us, and Naughty Dog, a video game developing company, came together to produce a thrilling, almost realistic and emotional series. The ability of these creators to take a very real fungus, cordyceps, and turn it into a ravaging, apocalyptic story is impressive.
Cordyceps are a parasitic fungus that take over the brain and body of its host, typically ants.
Although cordyceps cannot actually infect humans, the idea portrayed in The Last of Us is rooted in truth.
These are just a few of the details of the hit HBO series that make it such an enthralling cinematic experience.