The Last Of Us successfully translates terror

Video games have always been difficult to adapt. Is the curse finally broken?

MATTHEW IDDON

At the time of writing, 6 out of 9 episodes have been aired.

It’s proven quite tricky to spin video game franchises into cinematic gold. Ever since Super Mario Bros. was released in 1993, a so-called “curse” has plagued a long line of failed video game adaptations. Luckily, modern video games have become more and more cinematic in scope, thus making them easier to adapt. Back in 2013, you didn’t need a PlayStation 3 to experience The Last of Us since watching the cutscenes back-to-back on YouTube was practically akin to watching a long movie. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson’s performances as Joel and Ellie were just as powerful and emotional as any “real” Hollywood acting. Video games are now recognized alongside film and television as a medium capable of truly immersive storytelling. Now that HBO has adapted The Last of Us as a TV show, the question is: has anything been lost in translation?

First let’s look at the story: The year is 2023. The world has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic, and (unlike other zombie apocalypse tales) the source of the devastation is fungal not viral. Cordyceps (a fungus which, terrifyingly enough, exists in our world) has mutated and infected the population, turning people into mindless monsters (called Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, etc. But let’s be honest, they’re zombies). City-wide quarantine zones have managed to keep the Infected out, but within the city walls a brutal military regime has taken power. Those unlucky enough to find themselves traversing the country must not only survive hordes of zombies, but roving bands of sadistic humans as well. It’s up to Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) and Tess (Anna Torv) to protect a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) whose blood may be the key to creating a vaccine. As you might expect, this is easier said than done.

Writing a show like this is no easy task. Stick too closely to the plot points set out in the video game and you risk being repetitive. Too much difference, and the show becomes just another generic dystopian drama. Luckily, writers Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin are keenly aware of this balance. As the creative director of the original game, Druckmann keeps the show tethered to its roots, but also lets the story grow in a unique direction. Mazin (creator of HBO’s Chernobyl) injects The Last of Us with a sense of pervasive dread that is all too familiar for the COVID-19 generation.

There are some significant differences from the source material, and fans of the game might be disappointed. However, the core of the story — Joel and Ellie’s relationship — is strong enough to withstand these changes. The world of The Last of Us is richly detailed, and it’s nice to see the writers explore it in ways that video games just can’t. For example, episode three is a tale of apocalyptic romance between two characters that we’ve never met before and who never show up again — and it’s being called one of the show’s best episodes. We are also treated to some incredible performances. Pascal’s Joel is slightly different from his video game counterpart. But rather than being distracting, these differences enhance the character. In the game you play as Joel, and can mow down hordes of Clickers with ease. The tension comes from your own skill limitations. Pascal’s Joel is noticeably less durable, and this vulnerability makes an encounter with just one Clicker a nail-biting affair. Ramsey also does an excellent job channeling the character of Ellie. Their dysfunctional father-daughter bond is the beating heart of this story, and both actors portray this dynamic beautifully.

It’s safe to say that HBO’s The Last of Us is a successful translation of the original game into live-action. But the best thing about this show is that it’s not a carbon copy of the game. Diehard fans may balk at the changes being made, but the fact is that both versions of this story are strong enough to stand on their own. The Last of Us is available on HBO Max, and there are still three episodes to go. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend doing so.