The Last of Us: Accusations of Misogyny and Infantilization of Female Characters

HBO's 'The Last of Us' Faces Backlash Over Female Character Portrayal Los Angeles, CA – May 30, 2025 – The HBO adaptation of the popular video game "The Last of Us" is facing criticism for its portrayal of female characters, particularly Ellie. Film critic Megan Cruz, known online as "stoobs," recently released a reaction video expressing strong disapproval of the show's depiction of Ellie as less capable and more emotionally fragile than in the game. "The infantilization of Ellie throughout this season is one of the most frustrating things to me," Cruz stated in her video. She contrasted this with the showrunner's anticipation of Abby's season, a character portrayed as highly competent in the game. Cruz's video, which has already garnered tens of thousands of views, highlights a growing concern among viewers about the show's handling of female characters and raises questions about the broader representation of women in popular media. The video's popularity and the critical commentary suggest the need for more nuanced and authentic portrayal of women in mainstream entertainment. The discussion sparked by the video underscores the importance of critical engagement with media representations and their impact on audiences.