Original Lowkey editorial title card. Not official key art; no promotional artwork reproduced.
Parent viewing guide
The Last of Us
- HBO / HBO Max
- Platform rating: TV-MA
- 2 seasons
Joel and Ellie travel through a world devastated by infection and social collapse. The TV adaptation is emotionally intense and graphically violent; familiarity with the game does not remove those cautions.
TV-MA: made for adults.
This is the platform’s adult rating. Lowkey is explaining the show so you know what it is, not suggesting it for families or younger viewers.
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Where it stands
Platform
HBO / HBO Max
Platform rating
TV-MA
Seasons
2 seasons
Episodes
16 episodes listed by HBO across the two available seasons.
Status
Renewed for Season 3. The official renewal does not set a premiere date or confirm a series finale; the current HBO listing still has two available seasons.
The rating is the one we checked on the platform. Ratings can differ by region and by episode. Independent content-review coverage also differs by season, and a review of an early season is not proof that every latest episode was reviewed.
The appeal
Why teens watch
The central relationship turns survival decisions into difficult moral questions. Game fans can compare adaptations, and newcomers can follow a character-driven story without playing first.
Content advisory
What is in it
Language
Frequent strong swearing and aggressive threats occur. Ellie’s humor sometimes sits alongside very harsh dialogue.
Sex and romance
Sexual relationships, kissing and some nudity appear, including a nude corpse. The level and context differ between episodes.
Violence
Gun violence, infected attacks, torture and graphic deaths are major warnings. Threats to children and prolonged grief can be especially upsetting.
Themes
Loss, revenge, loyalty, dehumanization and moral compromise are central. The show asks whether protecting someone justifies harming others, without offering a simple rule for real life.
Binge factor
Can they stop?
Some episodes are emotionally self-contained, while others leave urgent unresolved danger. Pause after a heavy episode instead of treating the next one as emotional relief.
Cast of characters
Who is who
- Joel MillerA hardened survivor whose bond with Ellie changes his priorities.
- Ellie WilliamsA young person at the center of a struggle over survival, agency and belonging.
- Tommy MillerJoel’s brother, with his own ideas about building a life after collapse.
- DinaAn important person in Ellie’s life whose choices affect the later story.
Decoder
Memes and references
Infected types, adaptation comparisons and Joel/Ellie edits are common reference points. A game meme and a TV scene can contain different spoilers and levels of violence.
Talk about it
Conversation starters
- When does protecting somebody take away their choice?
- Does understanding a character’s pain make their revenge acceptable?
- What changed between the game and show that affected how you felt?
Keep going
Related shows
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