As a fan of The Last of Us Part II, it's frustrating to see an adaptation that, despite carrying the name and basic structure of the original work, completely disregards its essence. An adaptation should honor the story and its characters - even with some creative liberties - but here we see a deep distortion of the motivations, emotions, and emotional journey that made the game so impactful.
The characters feel like mere shadows of who they once were. Their actions often make little sense, and their relationships lack depth. Ellie, for instance, is a major disappointment. It's simply not believable that four years after the events of the first game, she would show so little emotional growth. The absence of character development and the way her decisions are portrayed strip the narrative of credibility.
I don't blame the actors - many are clearly doing their best with what they're given. But it's hard to shine with a script that fails to capture the soul of the source material. The writing choices feel artificial, cold, and at times, almost disrespectful to what the original game built so carefully.
I'm really trying to enjoy it. Truly. But it's hard when you realize that what's being told is no longer the story of The Last of Us - it's a watered-down version, lacking the same weight, the same pain, the same humanity. The series doesn't just disappoint - it feels like a betrayal to those who were moved, challenged, and changed by the game.
