The much anticipated trailer for the HBO series The Last of Us dropped this Monday, igniting high expectations among critics and fans of the beloved video game that inspired the adaptation. The show stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the lead roles.
The official preview drew more than 1.1 million views on YouTube within just a few hours, and social platforms buzzed with commentary praising how faithfully the series mirrors the game.
The teaser unveils a bleak, post apocalyptic world filled with tension, eerie landscapes, and relentless suspense. This horror, action, and adventure narrative unfolds twenty years after a devastating fungal pandemic in the United States, a catastrophe that has transformed much of humanity into cannibalistic creatures. In this harsh new reality, survivor Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, is tasked with guiding a 14-year-old girl named Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, through a strict quarantine zone as they embark on a perilous journey where mutual survival becomes the only option.
Although an exact premiere date has not been announced, the trailer’s closing voiceover hints at a broader mission with the line, “Save anyone you can.”
Chilean actor Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and young British star Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) headline the cast, under the direction of Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) with screenwriter and creative lead Neil Druckmann adapting the game’s narrative for television. The ensemble also features Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Storm Reid, Jeffrey Pierce, Anna Torv, and Lamar Johnson.
The production is a collaboration between HBO and Sony Pictures Television, joined by PlayStation Productions, Word Games, and video game developer Naughty Dog.
The Last of Us franchise, including the original game and its subsequent remake, has reached impressive sales figures, with more than 20 million units distributed by Sony Computer Entertainment since its 2013 debut on the PlayStation 3. The property earned recognition such as a BAFTA for Best Video Game of the Year in 2014, among other awards, underscoring its enduring cultural impact. (HBO, 2023)