3 Reasons Why You Should Stream The Apocalyptic ‘The Last Of Us’

The infectious hype over HBO’s The Last of Us is spreading throughout the world. It’s a TV series adaptation made by the original video game’s creator Neil Druckmann and writer Craig Mazin (who is popularly known for another HBO series titled Chernobyl).

But if you’re not a gamer and if you’re someone who has been disappointed time and time again with book or video game adaptations, should you stream it? Here’s what you need to know to help you decide.

The Last of Us plot and cast

The Last of Us is set in an apocalyptic world in which a parasitic fungus (inspired by the real cordyceps fungus) evolves, infects humans throughout the world, and turns them into zombies. But instead of your usual shuffling or sluggish zombies, these ones are fast-moving and can mutate into sightless and mushroom-headed beasts. They’re called “clickers” for the clicking sound they make when hunting down their prey.

20 years after the outbreak occurred, people are struggling to survive the infection in quarantine zones imposed by a government run by the military. A flicker of hope remains as a group of freedom fighters are searching for a cure.

Two characters have been the talk of the town since the series premiered. One is Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor and Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old full of guts who suddenly enters Joel’s life. Other characters such as Tess (played by Anna Trov) and Sarah (played by Nico Parker) have also won the hearts of viewers through the two episodes released by HBO.

3 reasons to watch The Last of Us

1. An enriched experience for the gamers and a great entry point for those who are unfamiliar with it

Viewers will easily connect with the characters and get a clear picture of life before the outbreak. (Photo from: @thelastofus)

The Last of Us has been lauded by TV critics and gamers alike. If there were any deviations from the original source material, they did not disappoint but instead enriched the experience of the audience. By going for the TV series route, the creators are able to flesh out the characters and dive deeper into the horrors of the game’s dystopic world.

The show’s music comes from the same score used in the game, and it will mesmerise you, haunt you, and give you all the feels during the show’s more emotional scenes.

2. Solid performances of the cast

Bella Ramsey portrays a defiant teenager named Ellie whose curiosity about the world and snarky remarks bring a fresh kind of energy to the dark vibes of the show. So far in the story, Ellie seems to be mankind’s first sliver of hope for a cure or a vaccine, but with Joel’s pessimism, they both get on the wrong foot. The pair are slowly forming a unique bond, and we can’t wait to see more of their interactions in the next episodes.

Here’s a fun fact: the creators wanted the actors to come on set without much knowledge about the game. And in this case, it worked. The game’s creator Neil Druckmann explained in an interview that he told the actors not to replicate anything but instead encouraged them to make the characters their own.

3. Stunning visuals and cinematic landscapes

It’s also interesting that zombies or clickers in the series eerily add to the captivating visuals of the show. Instead of your usual rotting corpses and exposed brains, their heads have brightly coloured mushrooms growing out of them. This direction is inspired by a phenomenon in the natural world known as aposematism in which something that’s visually striking can be toxic and dangerous.

Where to watch The Last of Us in Singapore

Were you intrigued by the three reasons above? If so, you can watch the episodes of The Last of Us by subscribing to HBO GO online or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for a fee of SGD9.99 per month. You can also access HBO GO via StarHub, Singtel, and meWatch. Aside from these options, you can check out HBO GO on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV and enjoy its AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

(Cover photos from: @thelastofus)