Why ‘The Road’ Is a Must-Watch for Last of Us Fans

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When examining the factors that shaped the critically acclaimed 2013 video game “The Last of Us,” which HBO recently transformed into a successful TV series, it’s easy to assume influences from popular zombie-themed media such as “Night of the Living Dead” and “The Walking Dead.” However, in a 2013 conversation with “GamesBeat,” creative directors Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann (also co-creator of the HBO series) disclosed that the game’s primary inspirations were drawn from the literary realm. They particularly mentioned Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Road” (published in 2006), which revolves around an unnamed father and son traversing a desolate post-apocalyptic world following a catastrophe, as one of the game’s main inspirations.

For fans of “The Last of Us” who aren’t avid book readers, there’s no need to fret. The novel was transformed into a movie back in 2009, starring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the struggling father-son duo. The setting for their journey is so barren, dismal, and shrouded in a dreary gray that it makes “The Last of Us” world seem like a vibrant paradise compared to it. However, those who found the parent-child bond at the heart of “The Last of Us” poignantly touching will find themselves equally touched by the one portrayed in “The Road”.

Fatherhood After the Apocalypse in ‘The Road’

The impact of “The Road” on “The Last of Us” is primarily seen in their shared storylines. Both narratives revolve around a man journeying with a child through a post-apocalyptic America. While Joel and Ellie from “The Last of Us” are not blood relatives, they develop a strong bond akin to a surrogate father-daughter duo during their voyage. Intriguingly, both characters carry the weight of past tragedies stemming from the onset of their respective catastrophes several years prior. Joel lost his daughter, and the Man lost his wife. These losses leave them with few remaining reasons to live other than their young companions, thus infusing both stories with a sense of tenderness and warmth that softens the harshness of their settings.

Although both narratives share a common theme of a father-like figure and a cross-country journey with a child, the endpoints and goals of these journeys vary significantly. In the story of The Last of Us, Ellie has an immunity to the Cordyceps fungus, making her a potential source for a cure. Joel’s mission is to escort her to a hospital where a group called the Fireflies will perform surgery on Ellie to extract the cure, potentially saving what remains of humanity.

In The Road, there’s no prospect of rebuilding society as too many people have perished or degenerated into violent scavenging and cannibalism. Instead, the Man and Boy are merely struggling to stay alive as long as they can. Their ultimate destination, a hypothetical southern beach (the novel and film never clarify their specific location), may offer more food and resources, but it seems more like a fantasy than a reality. Essentially, while Joel and Ellie’s journey aims to achieve something, the Man and Boy’s journey is their goal – survival itself.

‘The Last of Us’ and ‘The Road’ Are Bleak Coming-of-Age Stories

In essence, stories like The Last of Us and The Road focus equally on the young protagonists and their fathers. At their core, these narratives can be seen as tales of growth and self-discovery, often referred to as coming-of-age stories. Interestingly, Ellie and the Boy, who were born after the catastrophes, have grown up viewing the world with a cynical and suspicious eye. However, as their adventures unfold, they begin to challenge the mistrustful and self-reliant mindset of their fathers, who perceive every encounter as a potential danger.

As a movie critic, I find striking similarities between “The Last of Us” and “The Road.” In these post-apocalyptic tales, we see instances where young characters, Ellie and the Boy, appeal for aid to those in distress, but their pleas are often dismissed by their fathers, who prioritize self-preservation.

Moreover, both narratives delve into extended episodes where the child protagonists are unexpectedly left to navigate on their own, without the security of their father’s presence. During these testing times, Ellie and the Boy cross paths with strangers offering assistance in the form of food, medicine, and protection. Ultimately, under the dire circumstances, both adolescents decide to accept these offers.

In one version of events, one young person benefits greatly by placing faith in mysterious individuals, whereas another narrowly escapes death and may carry emotional trauma throughout their life due to this trust. However, both Ellie and the Boy gain valuable insights – they realize that deciding to trust a stranger is essentially taking a risk, one where you can’t guarantee a positive outcome every time.

‘The Road’ Paved the Way for ‘The Last of Us’

And ‘The Road’ Is Available to Stream for Free

In essence, “The Road” is a compelling watch for fans of “The Last of Us”. It introduces numerous narrative aspects that significantly contribute to the game’s and series’ emotional resonance, while also showcasing as a standalone powerful story about love and survival in post-apocalyptic America. Despite its overwhelmingly grim and challenging scenes, it offers moments of optimism suggesting that there might still be hope for the few noble characters left in the world. The Man frequently reminds the Boy throughout the movie, “We are keeping the flame alive.

The Road is available to stream on Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, and Plex.

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2025-05-18 06:02