The Last Of Us Episode 2 Director Explains Why Joel's Death Scene Was Not As Brutal As In The Game
Summary
- Joel's death scene in HBO's The Last of Us was less violent than in the game.
- Director Mark Mylod said he wanted to focus on Abby's motivation over showing violence.
- It was still quite graphic.
HBO's The Last of Us finally aired the scene we were all dreading. At least those of us who've played the games were prepared for it – think of the poor souls who only watched the show and wondered what daddy-daughter shenanigans Joel and Ellie would be up to. The brutal scene of Joel's death was definitely a punch in the gut, but it was way worse in the game.
RelatedHBO's The Last Of Us Needs A Spin-Off About Life In Jackson
A show to really focus on the last of them.
Posts 1 By Sam HallahanWhile there was a lot of difference between the game and the show's events of that tragic day – the entire battle at Jackson, for instance – order in which events played out the game also made Abby's reveal more shocking. However, the brutality was a bit toned down as well, and it seems that was a conscious call by director Mark Mylod.
Joel's Death Scene Was Less Violent On Purpose
"I don't have much interest in showing violence itself," said Mylod – who has worked on Succession, Game of Thrones, and HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series – in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "I don’t have much interest in showing violence itself."
"But what motivated Abby to a place where she was doling such extraordinary violence — that is endlessly fascinating," he explained. "So, after establishing the brutality and, hopefully, exploring some of the context to why this young person was driven to such extraordinary violence and cruelty, I wanted to keep most of it off screen — and Craig was very much on the same page."
He said that it was more important for him to help the actors deliver the "extraordinary words on the page", rather than just show the violence that Abby inflicted upon Joel.
RelatedThe Last of Us Season Two Can Fix The Game's Most Misguided Scene
Ellie and Dina see themselves in fiction in The Last of Us Part 2, but the show needs to show them in fact, too.
Posts By Stacey Henley"A lot of this is blind instinct. It has to do with hopefully having an empathetic connection with the cast to feel when is the right time to really push for that Zen state," he continued. We always know when we’re there because I can’t speak after the take, or I’m just simply in tears."
The Last Of Us Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Action Horror Release Date January 15, 2023 Network HBO Showrunner Craig Mazin Directors Craig Mazin, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Ali Abbasi, Mark Mylod, Stephen Williams, Jasmila Žbanić, Liza Johnson, Nina Lopez-Corrado Writers Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin 3 Images Custom Image By Yailin ChaconGabriel Luna as Tommy looking to the side next to Bella Ramsey looking shocked in The Last of UsCustom Image By Yailin ChaconCloseCast
See All- Pedro Pascal Joel Miller
- Bella Ramsey Ellie Williams
