The Last of Us, in both video game and television adaptation, is hailed as one of the most nuanced and realistic depictions of a post-apocalyptic world. Its stirring emotional performance, immersive world-building and grueling realism firmly distinguish it from the multitudes of fictitious dystopian societies. The series revolves around characters Joel Miller and Ellie Williams, two survivors navigating a world run to ruin by a fungal infection, that of which has decimated most of the population. Oftentimes, apocalyptic stories lean heavily on fierce action and gore for shock-factor; the Last of Us instead highlights the intricate human experience, marking it one of the most accurate depictions of life in such unforgiving conditions. To analyze why the series is so grounded in realism, several crucial factors must be considered: the infectious disease at hand, human behavior, emotional and survival elements and worldbuilding.
The catalyst for the action in The Last of Us is a fungal infection that transforms humans into decrepit creatures called “infected.” Unlike the dramatized outbreaks found in other post-apocalyptic works of fiction, the infection at the heart of The Last of Us is grounded in a real-world organism, Cordyceps- a parasitic fungus that infects insects. Associating the outbreak with nature’s own parasitic workings, coupled with the show’s scientific statements backing the virus with a rise in global temperatures, furthers the diseases’ believability.
One of the strongest elements of The Last of Us is its depiction of human behavior in such a world gone awry. The Earth as humanity knows it has fallen apart, moral lines are blurred, and those alive face grueling decisions to keep it that way. Character’s relationships, such as between Joel and Ellie, are intricately human; full of compassion and fear, rage and betrayal. The Last of Us isn’t afraid to depict the complexities of survival in light of apocalypse, where self-preservation is often antithetical to one’s pre-apocalypse beliefs. The portrayal of humans as morally conflicted, even brutal, offers a refreshingly raw perspective.
The authenticity of The Last of Us is further enhanced by its emotional and survival aspects. Throughout the show and gameplay, resources are scattered and a rarity. Persistent dangers, from both infected and humans, threaten those wishing to obtain basic necessities, alongside self-induced moral dilemmas. Characters frequently, if not incessantly, encounter times of desperation, and with limited supplies, they’re faced with impossible choices regarding the distribution of their scarce resources. Contrasting the numerous apocalyptic stories that water down survival to battle-driven action, The Last of Us embraces a more melancholic tone. In this world, survival isn’t glamorous—it’s exhausting and ruthless. In terms of emotional realism, The Last of Us stands out for its complex and nuanced character development. Joel and Ellie’s journey across America is not marked by just physical distance, but how far their relationship and morality has shifted since embarking on it. Their familial bond, which progresses throughout the franchise, is rooted in trauma, grief and love. These emotions are not dramatized; they deeply reflect how people in real life cope with profound loss and death.
A final contributing factor to the realistic content of The Last of Us is worldbuilding. “Good” worldbuilding is classified through various descriptions and portrayals of the world, the planet, the city. A fictitious town can be dark, with lowly-lit buildings and an air of uncertainty and corruption; it can be created and viewed in any specific way. The Last of Us completely transcends all “good” worldbuilding, and redefines the concept entirely: worldbuilding is in the people. The question is not of the stature of a town, but the stature of its residents. How does the setting make characters feel, and in what way has the environment shaped the essence of their morals? The franchise’s worldbuilding relies wholly on this idea, as every character, both intrinsically and developmentally, is defined by the necessity of their world. Necessity, made relevant by devastating apocalypse, is what drives each character in The Last of Us to act the way they do, and furthers the plot at every action. This worldbuilding centric to the necessity of each character is what makes the franchise so unique, and stand out so significantly from other dystopian works of fiction. The Last of Us digs deeper than surface-level zombie; through realism on all fronts, it portrays a melancholic, debilitating and beautiful view of a post-apocalyptic life.
