As of March 15, 2025, HBO’s The Last of Us stands tall as a towering achievement in the realm of video game adaptations, with two seasons either released or in production, cementing its reputation as perhaps the finest translation of a gaming narrative to the screen. Adapted from Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed 2013 PlayStation title and its 2020 sequel, the series has garnered widespread praise for its fidelity to the source material, stellar performances, and cinematic grandeur. Starring Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams, the show has shattered the long-standing curse of lackluster game-to-screen efforts, earning accolades from critics and fans alike. Yet, despite its runaway success—Season 1 alone drew over 30 million viewers per episode—one persistent critique continues to ripple through the fandom: the casting of Ramsey as Ellie, a character some argue deviates too far from her original game incarnation.
The journey began with Season 1, which premiered in January 2023, following Joel, a hardened smuggler, and Ellie, a teenage girl immune to the Cordyceps fungus that has ravaged humanity. Guided by co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann—the latter the mastermind behind the games—the show meticulously recreated key moments from the first game, from the gut-wrenching opening with Joel’s daughter Sarah to the tense cross-country trek. Critics hailed it as a triumph, with outlets like Empire calling it “comfortably the best adaptation of a video game ever made,” citing its emotional depth and respect for the source. Season 2, now filming and set for a 2026 release, promises to tackle the polarizing The Last of Us Part II, introducing Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and expanding the narrative’s scope. Posts on X reflect the hype, with fans marveling at leaked set photos and Pascal’s grizzled return, solidifying the show’s status as a cultural juggernaut.
What sets The Last of Us apart from predecessors like Resident Evil or Halo is its refusal to merely mimic gameplay mechanics, instead weaving a prestige drama around Joel and Ellie’s evolving bond. Pascal’s Joel carries a weary gravitas, his cowboy squint masking decades of trauma, while Ramsey’s Ellie bursts with defiance and curiosity, a stark contrast to the game’s more weathered protagonist. The show’s additions—like the expanded Bill and Frank storyline in Season 1’s third episode—earned Emmy nods for Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, proving its willingness to enhance, not just replicate, the original tale. Visually, it’s a feast: abandoned malls and snow-capped mountains come alive with a cinematic polish that rivals blockbuster films, while the Clickers—those fungal monstrosities—terrify in sparse, impactful encounters. It’s no wonder posts on X dub it “the cure to bad video game adaptations,” a sentiment echoed by its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Yet, beneath the praise lies a vocal undercurrent of discontent over Ellie’s casting. In the games, Ellie, voiced and motion-captured by Ashley Johnson, is a wiry, foul-mouthed survivor whose physicality—scarred hands, lean frame—mirrors her brutal world. Ramsey, however, brings a softer, younger energy, her slight build and less abrasive demeanor clashing with the battle-hardened teen of Part II. Fans on X have been blunt: “Bella’s Ellie feels like a different character—too delicate for the apocalypse,” one wrote, while another lamented, “Casting should match the visual source—she doesn’t look the part.” The backlash intensified with Season 2 rumors of an older Ellie, with some arguing Ramsey, now 21, can’t embody the 19-year-old’s rugged maturity from the game. Johnson’s Ellie, they say, exudes a raw edge Ramsey hasn’t captured, a critique that’s persisted since her 2021 casting announcement.
Defenders of Ramsey point to her acting chops—she’s undeniably compelling, balancing Ellie’s vulnerability and grit with a fresh spin. Mazin has stood by the choice, telling ELLE in 2023, “Bella was the Ellie we needed—she’s extraordinary.” Her chemistry with Pascal, a slow-burn bond that anchors the show, has silenced many doubters, earning her praise as a “revelation” from Sports Illustrated. Still, the physical disparity gnaws at purists, especially as Season 2 looms with Abby’s muscular presence threatening to highlight the contrast further. Posts on X suggest a disconnect: “Bella’s great, but she’s not MY Ellie,” a fan wrote, encapsulating a divide between adaptation loyalists and game diehards.
The criticism, while loud, hasn’t derailed the show’s momentum. Season 1’s success—boosted by a $100 million budget—secured a swift renewal, and Season 2’s filming in Canada has fans buzzing about new characters like Dina (Isabela Merced) and Jesse (Young Mazino). HBO’s gamble paid off, proving a video game story could thrive as a serialized drama, not just a movie. Unlike The Witcher or Arcane, which also adapted games well, The Last of Us marries prestige TV sensibilities with a laser focus on its leads, avoiding ensemble sprawl. Yet, the Ellie debate underscores a broader challenge: how closely must an adaptation hew to its roots? For every fan who embraces Ramsey’s take, another pines for Johnson’s visceral authenticity, a tension that may define the show’s legacy.
As The Last of Us continues to make waves, its status as the pinnacle of video game adaptations seems secure—two parts in, it’s a masterclass in storytelling and spectacle. Ramsey’s Ellie, flaws and all, is part of that triumph, even if she’ll never fully satisfy everyone. With Season 2 poised to push boundaries further, the show stands as a testament to what’s possible when passion meets execution, bruises and all. Whether the casting critique fades or festers, one thing’s clear: HBO has set a bar few can hope to leap.
