‘The Last of Us’ – ‘Future Days’ – Review
Making a return to the post-apocalyptic world based on the popular Playstation game franchise, The Last of Us returns for season two, making its return to Kiwi screens thanks to SKY and NEON’s partnership with HBO on April 14.
After a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity’s last hope.
The highly anticipated second season sees us rejoin our favourite characters and follow the trials and tribulations of navigating life after the fall of society. Well, that’s the standard line.
After the utter emotional roller coaster that was Season One of The Last of Us, Season Two dives right back into the action as we follow Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in their fight for normalcy in a world ravaged by the mutated Cordyceps fungus.
As with all HBO shows, including the first season, the production value is top-tier once again, with stunning cinematography pulling you deeper into the multiple storylines and subplots. This is peak television, regardless of your general feelings about shows based on existing intellectual property.
Series creator Craig Mazin, who also writes and directs Season Two, Episode One, ‘Future Days’ has provided a masterclass in adapting an existing property to the screen here with the first episode of season two as much a visual feast as it is a compelling story. I think it would come as a genuine shock to some viewers that Joel and Ellie’s story originally debuted in PlayStation.
Unlike other video game franchise-based shows, The Last of Us can happily stand alone for viewers to get hooked without the need for prior knowledge of the stoy.
Pedro Pascal is once again at his best, portraying an older Joel who, five years on from season one, is struggling with his decisions in the final episodes of the season, in which (spoiler alert) he is involved in turning on the Fireflies to rescue Ellie from certain death. Was it the right thing to do or a betrayal? That’s one of the many questions you are left with to make your own mind up on.
A standout in the supporting cast has to be Catherine O’Hara, who portrays town psychiatrist Gail, with her own struggles towards Joel for his actions in Season One. ‘Future Days’ most impactful scenes see O’Hara and Pascal go head to head in session with the raw emotion rarely seen in this genre
In addition to the on-screen presence of O’Hara, Isabela Merced’s Dina brings a new dynamic to the story as a love interest for Ramsey’s Ellie. This hot and steamy romance looks sure to be a strong driver of the plot for the season ahead, alongside the strained relationship between teenage Ellie and adoptive father Joel.
‘Future Days’ is a hell of a start to Season Two of The Last of Us and it’s promising an intensely dramatic watch that will pull you into the burning desire for survival at any cost.
The Last of Us is currently streaming on NEON and SKY TV.
Image: SKY TV
