On January 15, The Last Of Us, one of the most anticipated series of 2023, will officially premiere on HBO Max. Adapted from the popular video game developed by Naughty Dog, The Last Of Us will immerse viewers in a post-apocalyptic world filled with terrifying infected beings (zombies) and follow a deeply emotional journey of individuals struggling to connect amidst chaos.
The universe of The Last Of Us is vast, rich, and deeply layered. To avoid confusion, below are some key details you should know before this series launches in just a few days.
The Nature of “Zombies” in The Last Of Us
In The Last Of Us, the “zombies” are not traditional undead creatures but rather humans infected by a parasitic fungus. Specifically, these creatures are the result of infection by a fungus known as Cordyceps, which is inspired by a real-life parasitic fungus that primarily affects insects.
In reality, Cordyceps is a type of fungus that exhibits parasitic behavior. It grows and thrives on the bodies of its host, primarily targeting insects like ants. After completing its parasitic process, Cordyceps can take over the host’s brain and control their movements, often causing bizarre and violent behaviors to seek higher ground, like trees or plants.
A striking feature of Cordyceps is its ability to produce spores into the air, which can infect others. This aspect has inspired the developers at Naughty Dog to create unique types of “zombies” specifically for their game.
Cordyceps can be considered a nightmare for many insects in the ecosystem. However, it is relatively harmless to humans, at least in reality. In The Last Of Us, the dynamic is entirely different, as Cordyceps can turn anyone into a mindless killing machine within a few days of infection.
Types of Zombies in The Last Of Us
The infected in The Last Of Us are categorized based on the duration of their infection by the Cordyceps fungus, including Runner, Stalker, Clicker, Bloater, Shambler, and Rat King.
Runners are the first stage of infection, typically moving quickly but with limited coordination. After about 2 weeks to 1 year of infection, Runners evolve into Stalkers—these zombies tend to hide in the shadows, ambushing unsuspecting victims.
After a year of infection, Stalkers continue to evolve into Clickers, a stronger type of zombie that often emits a distinctive clicking sound when moving. At this stage, the Cordyceps fungus spreads throughout the host’s body, transforming them into dangerous predators.
Years later, Clickers can develop into Bloaters. By this stage, their bodies have become bloated with fungal growth, severely limiting their mobility. They can also release spores that can be harmful to those nearby. Bloaters are a significant challenge, as they can easily infect others with their explosive spores.
Shamblers are those who have been infected for several years, typically found in damp environments. They can emit toxic spores that can harm anyone nearby. When eliminated, Shamblers release spores and spread the Cordyceps fungus into the atmosphere like a spore cloud.
The Rat King is a unique entity formed from individuals infected for over 20 years, combining multiple infected bodies into one. The Rat King is massive and exhibits a terrifying presence that ordinary humans would find insurmountable.
The The Last Of Us series promises to introduce at least one new type of zombie that does not appear in the original game. Alongside the previously mentioned types, trailers for the series have confirmed that Clickers and Bloaters will also appear in the first season.
Key Characters in The Last Of Us
The Last Of Us revolves around Joel Miller and Ellie Williams—two individuals from vastly different backgrounds who must navigate through a desolate world together amidst uncertainty.
Joel is a father figure, often torn between his responsibilities and the need to protect his daughter Sarah. Tragically, when the outbreak occurs, Joel is unable to save the one person he loves most. Sarah’s death leaves a profound impact on him, leading him to adopt a ruthless survival approach over the next 20 years. Only through his journey with Ellie does he begin to heal emotionally and form a bond reminiscent of familial love.
Ellie is the central character of The Last Of Us, serving as a key to ending the outbreak and restoring normalcy. She is unique as she remains unaffected by the Cordyceps infection, even after encountering the infected. This immunity suggests she may hold the key to curing the outbreak. After a failed attempt to secure supplies, Joel reluctantly assumes the responsibility of guiding Ellie to a laboratory in Salt Lake City for potential treatment.
In addition to the main characters, The Last Of Us includes several significant supporting roles. One such character is Tommy, Joel’s younger brother, who has managed to maintain hope for the future amidst despair and has contributed to building a community of survivors in Jackson, providing a safe haven for Joel and Ellie.
Riley is another crucial character for Ellie, appearing only in the Left Behind DLC of the The Last Of Us game. She is Ellie’s first friend from their time together in a quarantine zone in Boston. However, when they venture outside, both become infected after an encounter with zombies.
This moment also marks Ellie’s discovery of her immunity against the Cordyceps infection, while Riley, unfortunately, does not share the same fate. The death of her close friend significantly influences Ellie’s character development and enhances her survival instincts.
Significant Factions in The Last Of Us
Like many post-apocalyptic narratives, after the initial outbreak of the zombie infection, humanity begins to form various factions to survive. The Last Of Us is no exception, featuring two prominent groups: FEDRA and Fireflies.
FEDRA is a paramilitary organization combining the authority of the U.S. military and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was established before the outbreak to enforce control over quarantine zones across the country. In The Last Of Us, this organization often acts as the antagonist, frequently using violence to suppress any opposition to maintain its power.
Moreover, FEDRA often sends civilians into dangerous zones to carry out various tasks without regard for their safety. For those unfortunate enough to be infected, this faction implements ruthless extermination policies.
In contrast, Fireflies is a rogue faction seeking to overthrow the military regime and establish a new government. Over time, under the leadership of Marlene, the Fireflies have gained control over many quarantine zones, including Salt Lake City, which later becomes their main stronghold. Marlene is also a close friend of Ellie’s mother and is responsible for guiding Joel to deliver Ellie to this city.
Alongside FEDRA and Fireflies, The Last Of Us introduces numerous other survivor groups that significantly impact the game’s narrative. These include Tommy’s community in Jackson and a cannibalistic group led by David.
Additional Information About The Last Of Us Series
The Last Of Us is expected to feature many significant elements in its first season, with lead roles played by Pedro Pascal (Joel Miller) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie Williams), alongside supporting performances from Gabriel Luna (Tommy Miller), Merle Dandridge (Marlene), Anna Torv (Tess Servopoulos – Joel’s smuggling partner), and a variety of other cast members.
According to several reports, Neil Druckmann, the “father” of the The Last Of Us game, has directly contributed to the writing process for the adaptation, while also writing scripts for one of the nine episodes in the first season, with each episode running between 46 – 81 minutes.
Early reviews have started to surface, with many praising the series. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Last Of Us received a “Certified Fresh” rating with an impressive score of 97% from critics. Many reviewers have noted that this series is the best video game adaptation to date.
The first season of The Last Of Us will officially premiere on January 15.
