The Last of Us is essential viewing for Christians – if you can stomach the gore
By 
Rebecca Chapman2023-04-12T16:40:00
The hugely popular post-apocalyptic HBO series is morally ambiguous, but full of Christian themes, says Rebecca Chapman
Not being a huge fan of on-screen gore, I’ve never been one for zombie movies. However, HBO’s latest pandemic-themed post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us had me hooked from the very first episode.
You’d think pandemic-themed shows would be the last thing to be popular right now, but with 30.4 million viewers across season one, The Last of Us has achieved the biggest cumulative audience for an HBO series since the final epic season of Game of Thrones in 2019. Like Game of Thrones it is violent (perhaps no surprise given its video-game origins) with some strong language. Written and directed by Craig Mazin (HBO’s Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann (creator of the original video game), it balances grief and despair with wit and warmth as it explores how humanity responds when civilisation has collapsed.
Related articles
-
Magazine FeaturesWhy Christians shouldn’t give up on mainstream media
The BBC and other legacy news organisations are often criticised – sometimes rightly. But Martin Saunders argues that Christians should be wary of abandoning trusted journalism for a digital world of AI-generated misinformation, biased influencers and echo chambers
-
Regular ColumnistsIn a world obsessed with makeovers, Christ offers true transformation
From weight-loss journeys to home renovations, the world loves a story of a life transformed. But none compare to what Jesus can do, says Chine McDonald
-
OpinionCulture told us that marriage is outdated. Taylor Swift’s wedding says otherwise
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding has been celebrated by women across the West as if it were the news of a close friend. Lois McLatchie Miller argues that the fascination reveals a longing for love that our culture has often taught women to minimise – and one that the Church can breathe life back into
More from Reviews
-
ReviewsCan the book of Ruth change how Christians see refugees?
In the midst of a loud and angry national debate about migration, a new study guide rooted in the book of Ruth offers churches a calm, compassionate and biblically grounded place to start, says our reviewer
-
ReviewsArchbishop Sarah Mullally faces huge challenges. But this book has missed the biggest one
Ten leading Anglican voices offer advice and prayers for Archbishop Sarah Mullally in this multi-author volume. And yet the book also overlooks some of the Church’s most pressing priorities, says our reviewer
-
ReviewsSoul Survivor offered teenagers freedom, faith and fun. But was it really a safe space?
In her memoir, When the Music Fades, Lucy Sixsmith revisits the popular Christian festival, Soul Survivor. Her writing raises important questions about power and safeguarding, says our reviewer
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2026 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud