HBO’s The Last of Us Ellie actor Bella Ramsey has recently spoken about what makes the games so good, and the answer suggests a bright future for the upcoming show. Almost 10 years after Sony’s The Last of Us was released to great reviews and financial success, Ellie and Joel’s story will get a live-action adaptation in the form of HBO’s The Last of Us show. However, nailing a video game adaptation is always difficult, especially for something like The Last of Us.
Combining spectacular storytelling with great characters and mechanics, both The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II became instant classics upon release. Given how cinematic The Last of Us games are, a live-action adaptation was expected. For a story that long and complex, HBO’s TV format seems ideal for a The Last of Us adaptation. Still, how to balance what the games have done with a live-action TV format is challenging.
The Last Of Us' Story Helps Prevent Adaptation Problems
Bella Ramsey described The Last of Us' games as an “immersive experience” that allows the player to spend “so much time with these characters”, which perfectly summarizes why The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II work so well. Both The Last of Us games have an inherently cinematic plot, from the visuals to the narrative, which includes not only the cutscenes but the gameplay. That is why it can be easier for HBO’s The Last of Us series to break the video game adaptation curse of poorly received show adaptations, as the story of Ellie and Joel is already very cinematic by itself.
It is also a good thing the star of HBO’s The Last of Us show is acknowledging what makes the game so special. While video games tend to have a longer, more immersive story compared to movies, The Last of Us expanded on that perception and delivered a game where story and gameplay are intrinsically combined. According to Ramsey, those involved in the show “fully understand people's concerns”, which shows care for the source material. Adapting such a popular game like The Last of Us is not easy, but this understanding of what makes it so good makes the HBO adaptation very promising.
Why The Last Of Us Show Needs To Avoid Trying To Be Too Like The Games
While HBO’s The Last of Us promises to honor the games, it should not try to be a one-on-one adaptation of Sony’s The Last of Us. That is because The Last of Us game experience involves not only the cinematic cutscenes but also the gameplay, the latter being something that a TV show cannot replicate. For example, a lot of the tension surrounding The Last of Us’ clickers comes from the challenges of the game itself and not just from how scary the creature looks. That is why HBO’s The Last of Us show should have its own, unique experience.
Not recreating every scene from The Last of Us' games also avoids a comparison problem. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are playing their versions of Joel and Ellie and not necessarily trying to replicate what Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson masterfully did on The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II. Therefore, HBO’s The Last of Us should create unique remarkable moments that can allow Pascal and Ramsey to explore different sides of Joel and Ellie. That said, the show shouldn't be afraid to include iconic The Last of Us scenes in order to mirror the games and the story that made them so beloved.