This survival of the fittest TV show stars Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, and Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, as they try their best to survive the zombie-fungus infestation that has become the world. First, “The Last of Us” was a video game that was released in 2013 that swept the internet into a whirlwind of amazing graphics and story telling. 

Now those qualities are on the big screen on HBO max. The show starts with two scientists in 1968 talking about the evolution of fungi and mushrooms. They talk about how they have adapted exponentially to the point that they will soon seek to control the world around them. The scientist is sadly laughed at until the year 2023 approaches and something in the ground starts brewing. People are soon taken over by the “virus” and they succumb to the fungi that has taken over their brains. 

Joel and his daughter Sarah, played by Nico Parker, go about their daily life when the virus hits their city of Austin, Texas. The military has invaded the city, killing innocent people to slow down the spread. While on the run, Sarah is fatally shot but Joel and his brother Tommy, played by Gabriel Luna, must continue to find safety in order to survive. 

The year is 2043, the military has taken over full control of major cities in order to keep people within the walls that they have created. Joel and Tess, played by Anna Torv, make a plan to escape when Ellie falls into their laps and they must take her to Colorado because she could possibly be the cure for the zombie apocalypse. 

This show has so many tender moments while also having everyone at the edge of their seat. The camera work is impeccable and the music used for the show is fantastic. 

Many people worried that the producers and directors would fail to imitate the story that the game produced but in the end, the show left an impact just like the game did. Although the show was full of action packed moments, there were some slower parts that might feel dragged on, but other than that, it’s a funny and action packed show.