The Last of Us fans praise show for its ‘perfect’ practical effects

Virgin Radio

1 Feb 2023, 10:23

Viewers of The Last of Us have been showering the show with praise following its devastating and beautiful episode this week, but that’s not the only reason that the hit drama is wowing fans. 

Adapted from a popular video game, The Last of Us is set in 2033, 20 years after an infection sweeps the world, and it follows the journey of smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) and 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

The latest instalment (episode 3) introduced survivalist Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), with fans calling it “touching and heartbreaking” and “one of the greatest episodes of TV ever made.”

Whilst the HBO/Sky show is clearly hitting the mark on an emotional level, it is also being praised for its use of practical effects, rather than simply going full CGI.

If you watched episode two, you will know how terrifying the zombie-type characters are, especially when they have reached the third phase of fungal infection and have become ‘Clickers’.

Speaking on the show’s official podcast, co-creators and showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann spoke about using practical effects to create the heads of the infected. “If you go into a CGI characterization right off the bat, it just starts to feel like it's not there,” Mazin said.

“So we really wanted to find prosthetics to actually turn somebody into a Clicker.”

Fans have taken to Twitter to enthuse about how impressive the effects are. One person wrote: “Seriously, they nailed the clicker design so darn well in The Last of Us.”

Someone else said: “The practical effects in The Last of Us are just perfect! So so so good!”

Another commenter added: “The Last Of Us episode 2 was incredible, haven’t played the game but I’m loving the series. The scene with the clickers was terrifying and very suspenseful with great practical effects and make up.  Such an achievement.”

In news that will excite people who like being scared out of their skin and emotionally destroyed, it was recently announced that the show will be back for a second season.

The Last of Us airs weekly on Sky Atlantic and NOW.