The Last of Us Season 2: Critics Weigh In on the Highly Anticipated Premiere
The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us is set to premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday, 14 April, and critics are already weighing in on the latest instalment. According to Yahoo News UK, the show has received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional and raw exploration of humanity at the end of the world.
The second season of The Last of Us picks up five years after the explosive finale of the first season, where Joel killed dozens of people to save Ellie rather than sacrifice her for the greater good of humanity. As Yahoo News UK reports, Joel’s actions have consequences, and the Fireflies he killed to protect Ellie had friends and family who are now seeking vengeance. This moral conundrum over what is right and wrong, and the idea of vengeance and mercy, serves as the heart of the second series.
Critics have praised the second series for its approach to the story, particularly in giving stars like Bella Ramsey and newcomers Isabela Merced and Kaitlyn Dever a chance to shine in their respective roles as Dinah and Abby. As Alison Herman of Variety notes, “The Last of Us Part II remains a feat of production,” adding that the series presents “an even grimmer version of a show that could already be a difficult watch.” Herman also highlights Merced as a standout in the season, praising her as a “charming scene partner” to Ramsey.
Nick Hilton of The Independent feels similarly, writing that the narrative unfolds in a way that owes more to its source medium than its destination genre. He notes that the show “sits somewhere between” being a great TV show and a great video game adaptation, but that co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann “have done a fine job translating for the screen.” Hilton concludes that the world of The Last of Us “has rarely been as plausible – or compelling – as the barbaric wasteland of Last of Us’s second season.”
The Telegraph’s Ed Power praises the performances of the series, highlighting Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as being “reliably forceful” presences onscreen. He also notes that Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby steals the thunder, striking a tragic note amid the zombie hordes. Power writes, “This is a star-making turn by the Dopesick actress, who strikes a tragic note amid the zombie hordes.”
The Wrap’s Chase Hutchinson describes the series as “uniquely haunting television,” adding that it is a “faithful yet reflective adaptation, carving out new character beats that not only give the excellent duo of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey additional moments to shine, but further complicates some of the questions raised by the game.”
Fans of the show can expect more emotional moments in the second season, as well as thrilling and terrifying scenes. The show’s breathtaking landscapes and creepy Clickers are also set to return. According to Yahoo News UK, the original game is unique in its approach to narrative, and the HBO series proved that it could move beyond just a simple adaptation.
The Last of Us season 1 changed the game completely, redefining what it means to adapt a game to the screen by focusing on story rather than spectacle. The second season is likely to deliver the same emotional moments that viewers have come to expect, and while there are certain narrative beats from the game that are likely to spark backlash when adapted to the screen, it is going to be worth a watch.
The Last of Us premieres in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday, 14 April. Don’t miss it.
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