--- title: "The Last of Us: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-last-of-us/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-last-of-us" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Last of Us (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 13 reviews: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive, with praise centred on Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey’s performances and the growing bond between Joel and Ellie. Most critics find that the series works as a drama beyond its video game origins, giving its characters enough attention to make the horror matter. Its balance of fear and tenderness draws repeated approval, while the third episode attracts particular praise for expanding the source material into an intimate story of love and loss. The differences are chiefly in enthusiasm, with reservations scattered rather than forming a shared objection. Vulture acknowledges familiar post-apocalyptic elements but values the patient attention to relationships. NME finds some supporting characters underused, despite praising the central pairing. The Independent offers more restrained approval, admiring the acting and production design while questioning the series’ moral consistency. The consensus favours its human encounters over any claim to novelty in zombie storytelling. ## Radio Times Rating 5/5. 10 January 2023. The critic calls it a fantastic drama in its own right that surpasses expectations for a video game adaptation. They single out the perfect casting and chemistry of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/the-last-of-us-tv-show-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2023. This desperately moving drama set in a zombie-ravaged US is a phenomenal blend of horror and heart, with a cast that could not be more perfect. It manages to find humanity in the ruins through its balance of horror and heart, with standout performances from Pedro Pascal and especially Bella Ramsey. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jan/16/the-last-of-us-review-one-of-the-finest-tv-shows-you-will-see-this-year) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2023. The critic declares it by far the best video game adaptation ever made and very good simply as TV. They single out the central relationship and the standout third episode (directed by Peter Hoar) as what elevates the series toward something truly special. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-last-of-us-hbo-1235292687/) ## The i Paper — Emily Baker Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2023. The critic calls the series an exhilarating reinvention of the zombie apocalypse genre that succeeds due to its heart and story. They single out the intimate and profound father-daughter relationship between Joel and Ellie, brought to life by stellar performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-last-of-us-hbo-sky-atlantic-uk-review-exhilarating-reinvention-zombie-apocalypse-genre-2073089) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2023. The series is top-tier television and the best game-to-screen adaptation yet, staying true to its source while broadening the narrative into thoughtful, high-class drama that is at times horrifying. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-last-of-us-review-tv-series-episode-adaptation-playstation-sky-hbo-2zqpzbnbh) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2023. The critic finds it a promising and moving zombie saga with strong central performances. They single out the dynamic between Ellie and Joel, along with the show's ability to make viewers care about its characters, for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/the-last-of-us-hbo-review-1235480139/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 March 2023. The finale delivers a stunning, morally ambivalent ending that echoes the game, pulling viewers in two directions about Joel's choices. It sets up a darker second series while highlighting the extraordinary performances, particularly Bella Ramsey's. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/03/13/last-us-finale-review-stunning-ending-sets-brutal-second-series/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 March 2023. The finale features moments of beauty descending into a whole lot of bloodshed in a brutal showdown, with the acting excellent and production design extraordinary. It remains morally capricious and leaves the series poised for more. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-last-of-us-finale-review-b2298181.html) ## Vulture — TV and film writer 10 January 2023. The series is a gripping, ambitious, and well-made adaptation that succeeds in translating the game to television despite familiar post-apocalyptic tropes. It stands out most for its patient study of relationships, especially Joel and Ellie’s evolving dynamic, and for thoughtful detours like the Bill and Frank episode. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/the-last-of-us-hbo-review.html) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating A+. 10 January 2023. The critic calls the series one of the best video game adaptations ever made and one of the best shows of 2023, praising how it retains the game's emotional power while deepening characters and relationships through strong performances by Pascal and Ramsey and thoughtful expansions. It demonstrates how adaptations should be handled with care and creativity. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-last-of-us-hbo-review/) ## Den of Geek — Bernard Boo Rating 5/5. 29 January 2023. The episode is one of the best hours of television in recent memory and proof that the series is the best video game adaptation ever made. It builds on the game by expanding Bill and Frank's relationship into a moving, intimate story of love and loss that feels natural and dignified. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-last-of-us-episode-3-review/) ## /Film — Valerie Ettenhofer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2023. The review calls the series a compelling and fantastically acted adaptation that rises to the challenge of its source material. It highlights the standout third episode directed by Peter Hoar as an emotionally intimate high point that unites fans and newcomers. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1160701/the-last-of-us-review-a-thrilling-character-driven-achievement-for-game-fans-and-newcomers-alike/) ## NME — Alex Flood Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2023. The critic praises the ultra-faithful HBO adaptation of the video game as fresh and emotionally powerful despite familiar elements, highlighting the strong chemistry between Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey and the moving central relationship. Some supporting characters feel underused, but overall it succeeds as compelling television. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/tv-reviews/the-last-of-us-review-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey-3376317) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2023. The HBO adaptation elevates its video game source material through strong performances and a focus on human survival rather than mere zombie horror. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are singled out for breathing new life into the central characters. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/01/16/the-last-of-us/the-last-us-us-review-hbo-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-last-of-us.md