First Reviews for Season 2 of "The Last of Us" Are In — 82 Points on Metacritic

On Metacritic, the second season has earned 82 points out of 100 (based on 28 reviews), and on Rotten Tomatoes, the freshness rating is 93%. The new season will premiere on HBO Max on April 13th.

Positive Reviews: Almost Flawless Technical Execution and Acting

According to critics, the second season is nearly flawless — especially in terms of its technical aspects. Journalists praise:

• Cinematography
• Lighting
• Design, which creates a grim post-apocalyptic atmosphere
• Well-crafted action scenes

The acting of the lead stars, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, is also highlighted, with the relationship between their characters reaching new emotional depths. There is a general consensus that the second season has further developed their dynamic, making it more emotionally engaging.

Acting Discussion: Bella Ramsey and Kaitlyn Dever

However, critics note that Bella Ramsey's performance as Ellie in the second season is not as impressive as in the first. According to reviewers from IGN, Ramsey did not fully convey the maturity of her character, which contrasts with the mature content of the second season:

“Bella Ramsey was brilliant as young Ellie, but her performance in the second season didn’t fully convince me that five years have passed in the world of The Last of Us. Ellie simply doesn’t look older, which feels strange given the very mature content of the second season. Ramsey added more physical expressiveness, showing impressive combat skills, but in conversations, she still acts like a child.”

— IGN

Many reviewers feel that Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby outshines Ramsey's performance.

Drawbacks of Season 2

Despite the positive aspects, reviewers also highlight some weaknesses in the second season:

• Choppy storytelling
• A boring flashback episode
• An unresolved finale

Additionally, critics believe that the show failed to capture the emotional depth of the original game, and the new storylines that were not in the game "don’t make the series' story more interesting." Many feel that these elements distract from the main plot.

Conclusion

Overall, the second season of "The Last of Us" has received positive reviews but also sparked some mixed reactions. The technical aspects and the performances of Pascal and Ramsey impressed critics, but the narrative issues and an unfinished ending left some viewers disappointed. We eagerly await how the series will continue and what changes lie ahead in future episodes.