The Last of Us and Postmodern Moral Ambiguities

Screening both the television show and the videogame, this session will analyze the moral ambiguities presented in the Last of Us franchise. *The Last of Us*(Naughty Dog 2013) is an action-adventure game in which the main character, Joel, is tasked with escorting a teenage girl, Ellie, across the post-apocalyptic United States. *The Last of Us* (HBO 2023) is also an award-winning post-apocalyptic television show. When comparing *The Last of Us* video game to *The Last of Us* television show, one of the most prominent moral ambiguities is whether it is morally justifiable for characters in the story to commit morally reprehensible acts to ensure their own survival and that of their loved ones. The panel will also focus on how moral ambiguities are played out differently in television and video game formats. The Last of Us’ moral ambiguities are significant because they focus on how we all face unclear ethical choices in the uncertainty of the post-modern world.