The second season of HBO’s The Last of Us has sparked heated debates across social media, with fans and critics clashing over its quality and fidelity to the beloved video game. Once hailed as a groundbreaking adaptation, the show is now grappling with a sharp decline in viewership and a wave of review bombing that has sent its Rotten Tomatoes audience score spiraling to a shocking 39%. As the finale drew just 3.7 million viewers—a 55% drop from Season 1’s finale—some vocal detractors are claiming victory, arguing the series has lost its spark. But what’s really behind this polarizing reaction, and is The Last of Us Season 2 truly the disaster some make it out to be?

A Divisive Adaptation Sparks Controversy

When The Last of Us premiered in 2023, it was a cultural phenomenon, blending the emotional depth of Naughty Dog’s video game with HBO’s cinematic flair. The first season earned a 96% critics’ score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its place as a gold standard for video game adaptations. However, Season 2, which adapts the controversial The Last of Us Part II, has struggled to maintain that momentum. The season’s pacing, creative choices, and adherence to the game’s polarizing plot points have left fans divided.

One major point of contention is the show’s handling of key moments, particularly the death of Joel, played by Pedro Pascal. For those unfamiliar with the game, this early and brutal twist was a gut punch, leading to a 31.5% viewership drop from the premiere’s 938,000 linear viewers to just 643,000 for Episode 2. Fans who loved Joel’s character in Season 1 felt blindsided, with some abandoning the show entirely. Social media posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users like @Vara_Dark proclaiming the finale’s “catastrophically low” viewership as evidence of the show’s decline.

Review Bombing or Genuine Discontent?

The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes tells a stark story: a 49% rating after Episode 3, plummeting to 39% by Episode 6. On Metacritic, the user score sits at a dismal 3.6, with 62% of reviews classified as negative. Some attribute this to review bombing, a tactic where fans deliberately tank ratings to express frustration, often targeting shows with progressive elements or controversial narrative choices. The game itself faced similar backlash in 2020 for its bold storytelling and queer representation, and Season 2’s depiction of Ellie’s romantic arc has reignited these tensions. A notable example is Episode 4, which received a flood of one-star reviews on IMDb due to a romantic scene between Ellie and Dina.

However, not all criticism stems from bad faith. Many fans, including those who adored The Last of Us Part II, argue that the show’s creative decisions—such as rushing Abby’s arc or softening Joel and Ellie’s fractured relationship—diluted the story’s emotional weight. A reviewer on X, @NaughtyNDC, criticized the show for over-explaining and straying from the game’s nuanced tone, giving it a 6/10. Others, like Tom’s Guide, lament the loss of mystery around Abby’s motivations, which made the game’s narrative so compelling.

Critics vs. Fans: A Tale of Two Perspectives

Despite the fan backlash, critics have largely praised Season 2, maintaining a 95% Tomatometer score. Reviewers highlight the stellar performances of Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, along with the show’s gripping action and visual richness. Collider’s Ross Bonaime called it “the strongest video game adaptation ever,” emphasizing its ability to tackle thorny moral questions. Yet, the disconnect between critics and audiences is glaring. While critics applaud the show’s ambition, fans feel it falls short of Season 1’s emotional resonance and the game’s raw intensity.

HBO has defended the season’s performance, noting that it averages 37 million global viewers per episode, surpassing Season 1’s 32 million. The network attributes the finale’s lower numbers to its Memorial Day weekend airdate and an online leak. Still, the week-to-week momentum has undeniably waned, with some arguing the show’s cultural impact has faded without the “water cooler” buzz of its predecessor.

What’s Next for The Last of Us?

As HBO gears up for Season 3, which will likely focus more on Abby, the creative team faces a daunting challenge: winning back disillusioned fans while staying true to the game’s divisive narrative. Bella Ramsey has hinted at a reduced role for Ellie, which could further alienate viewers attached to her character. With the show already renewed, HBO is banking on delayed viewership to bolster its numbers, but the path forward is uncertain.

For now, The Last of Us Season 2 remains a lightning rod for debate. Some see it as a bold, if flawed, adaptation; others, like vocal detractors on X, call it a betrayal of the source material.