Few characters in modern video game and television history have resonated with audiences like Joel Miller. As the central figure of The Last of Us, Joel became a symbol of complex morality, tough love, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Yet despite his role as a protagonist and fan favorite, the question remains a painful one: What happened to Joel in The Last of Us?
His fate in The Last of Us Part II and HBO’s second season adaptation sparked emotional reactions, debates, and even backlash. Joel’s death was not only shocking, it fundamentally changed the story’s tone, direction, and emotional core.
What Happened to Joel in The Last of Us? The Build-Up to His Tragic End
To understand what happened to Joel in The Last of Us, we need to revisit the decisions he made at the end of the first installment. In The Last of Us Part I (and Season 1 of the HBO series), Joel rescues Ellie from the Fireflies, an organization planning to use her immunity to develop a cure. However, the surgery would have killed her, and Joel couldn’t accept that. In a desperate act of love, he killed many Fireflies, including the lead surgeon performing the procedure, and lied to Ellie about it afterward.
Years later, this decision comes back to haunt him.
In The Last of Us Part II (and the upcoming second season of the HBO series), Joel and his brother Tommy rescue a young woman named Abby from a horde of infected. Unbeknownst to them, Abby is the daughter of the surgeon Joel killed at the hospital. Her goal is simple: revenge.
After gaining Joel and Tommy’s trust, Abby lures them to a safehouse where her group ambushes the two men. What follows is one of the most brutal scenes in the franchise. Abby shoots Joel in the leg, then proceeds to beat him to death with a golf club, while Ellie is restrained and forced to watch.
This harrowing moment answers the question what happened to Joel in The Last of Us, he was killed violently and without heroism, in a cold act of vengeance.
Why Joel’s Death Was So Controversial?
The manner in which Joel died sparked outrage among a significant portion of the fanbase. Many players and viewers expected him to survive much longer or go out in a blaze of glory. Instead, he is killed early and in a very grounded, undignified way, reflecting the brutal realism that defines The Last of Us as a franchise.
The creators made a bold choice: they used Joel’s death as a narrative device to explore the cyclical nature of violence and revenge. Rather than centering the story on Joel, the sequel focuses on Ellie’s grief, rage, and obsession, as well as Abby’s own moral conflicts. What happened to Joel in The Last of Us becomes the catalyst for a story that examines what it means to seek justice, or vengeance, in a broken world.
Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the game and executive producer of the show, explained that Joel’s death wasn’t about shock value. It was a carefully considered story beat that challenged the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about violence, forgiveness, and consequence.
Joel’s Legacy Lives On
Even though Joel is killed early in The Last of Us Part II, his influence persists throughout the story. Flashbacks reveal more about his bond with Ellie, their strained relationship, and the guilt he carried. These scenes provide emotional depth and remind viewers why Joel’s death hit so hard.
In HBO’s adaptation, Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel received widespread acclaim. The performance captured both the warmth and moral complexity of the character, making his death even more devastating for fans who connected with him.
For Ellie, Joel’s death is transformative. She leaves behind the comfort of Jackson, Wyoming, and embarks on a journey of vengeance that mirrors, and at times exceeds, the violence that took Joel from her. Her mission is no longer about saving the world but avenging the one person who made her feel truly safe.
What Happened to Joel in The Last of Us Was Inevitable
At its core, what happened to Joel in The Last of Us is a story about consequences. His death wasn’t random, it was the result of choices he made out of love and fear. That doesn’t make it easier to accept, but it does make it powerful.
Joel’s end redefined what fans could expect from storytelling in games and television. It challenged the traditional role of the hero and forced players and viewers alike to sit with discomfort, grief, and the gray areas of morality.
In the end, what happened to Joel in The Last of Us wasn’t just a plot twist, it was a bold narrative decision that pushed boundaries and solidified the series as a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
