The Last of Us showcases the brutality and unforgiving nature of a post-apocalyptic world through the deaths of major characters. These deaths leave a profound impact on the narrative and the relationships between the remaining survivors, emphasizing the violence and unpredictability of life in this harsh world.
The Last of Us is a testament to the unrelenting brutality of a world ravaged by an epidemic. While the series is renowned for its nuanced storytelling and compelling characters, its merciless portrayal of violence is undeniable. Even its most iconic figures are not safe, as their fates often be shocking and unexpected. Through the games, characters are ruthlessly killed, both on-screen and off-screen, with a focus on highlighting the devastating impact of the apocalypse. While the series' violence is undoubtedly unsettling, it is also deeply effective in conveying the psychological and emotional toll of living in a world where life is extinguished so brutally.
Taken in tandem, The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2 primarily tell the saga of Ellie, a girl immune to the Cordyceps brain infection. The first game centered around her condition, and her journey across the ravaged United States to potentially help synthesize a cure left plenty of death in its wake. Its sequel arguably features even more prominent characters being killed off, since violence itself plays a key role in TLOU 2.
The most shocking deaths of all, however, are evenly split between the two entries, even with consideration for special cases where major characters die in quick succession.
Sarah's death at the beginning of The Last of Us is the first gut punch in a saga full of them. As Joel flees infected on foot, carrying Sarah, he experiences a brief moment of respite before being forced to open fire on the pursuing soldiers. Sarah's death irrevocably changes the trajectory of Joel's life, shaping his relationship with Ellie years later.
The jump forward in time after Sarah's death in the prologue introduces a cynical and jaded Joel, who has had a long working, and sometimes personal, relationship with another smuggler named Tess. Tess carries an optimism that Ellie's immunity could be the cure the Fireflies are looking for, but getting bitten by an infected forces her into making the decision to sacrifice herself to buy Joel and Ellie time to escape a group of soldiers. Joel and Tess's bond is a major component to the narrative, and Tess's abrupt exit form the narrative leaves a lasting impact on Joel and Ellie's journey.
Nora is one of the first comrades of Abby that Ellie has the opportunity to interrogate in TLOU 2. Her death itself isn't necessarily shocking, as Ellie is clearly consumed by vengeance by this point, but the brutality of the ordeal certainly is. Nora's withholding of information on Abby's location prompts Ellie, in the basement of a hospital overrun with Cordyceps spores, to savagely beat her with a metal pipe before she succumbs to the virus. With the entire scene bathed in red light, it is a starkly memorable scene, marking a pivotal turning point in Ellie's pursuit of vengeance against Joel's murder.
Trust is a rare commodity in the desolate world of The Last of Us. Despite their perilous journey through Pittsburgh, Joel and Ellie's encounter with Henry and Sam is tainted by tragedy. The bond between these two brothers is unbreakable, but their time together is cut short when Sam is infected and forced to take his own life. The loss of Sam is not only heartbreaking but also a significant turning point in the story.
Riley's presence is rarely felt in Left Behind's expansive expansion, so her untimely demise is not entirely unexpected. However, the sudden and brutal nature of her infection is what truly makes her death shocking. During Ellie's most cherished moments of happiness up to that point, when their friendship is blossoming into something more, Riley is struck by the virus, leaving Ellie devastated and guilt-ridden. While Ellie's survival is a testament to her resilience, Riley's fate remains ambiguous, leaving her ultimate destiny uncertain in Left Behind.
Familial relationships in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part 2 are deeply sacred, but the siblings introduced in the latter are tragically separated and violently. Yara and Lev abandoned their lives and left their community among the Seraphites to seek a safer existence for Lev. Yara's arm is amputated, but she survives due to the intervention of Abby and Lev's companions. Despite her efforts, she is quickly executed by multiple Wolves.
Like Yara's death in the first game, Jesse's death in The Last of Us Part 2 is shrouded in a profound sense of loss. He shares a tender moment with Ellie before facing a tragic end, his death resonating deeply with the other characters who have lost loved ones. His journey through a pair of double doors reveals the fragility of life, and his final encounter with a bullet to the head underscores the devastating impact of his demise. Like other characters in the game, Jesse's death carries an even greater weight due to his role as the father of Dina's unborn child, making it an even more poignant and heartbreaking moment.
Marlene is justified in her actions, becomes an antagonist by circumstance, and is the final person to stand in the way of Joel taking Ellie from the Fireflies' facility in Salt Lake City. Joel has already left immense bloodshed in his wake, but Marlene's death is a final reminder of the savagery that dominates the vestiges of human civilization in TLOU. Marlene is incapacitated by a first shot to the abdomen, and begs for her life. Joel is convinced Marlene will seek revenge, though, and executes her while she's laying on the floor of a parking garage in a pool of her own blood.
Joel – TLOU Part 2
Ellie's shocked expression at Mel's death is a stark contrast to her initial shock at Owen's words. The visceral and graphic nature of Ellie's actions is further emphasized by the game's depiction of her grief and the brutality of the murders. Despite the somber tone and mature themes, the scene remains emotionally charged, showcasing Ellie's unwavering determination and the consequences of her actions.
Although it occurs in Part 2's prologue, Joel's death remains the most shocking and impactful character death in The Last of Us, particularly in the context of Abby's violent and disturbing use of a golf club to take his life. Joel's death, which contrasts Joel's earlier sympathetic portrayal, is a testament to the complex and morally ambiguous nature of characters in The Last of Us.