In January, HBO blessed viewers with the release of the new series “The Last of Us.” Based on the popular video game of the same name, the show became an instant hit, receiving critical acclaim.

Set 20 years after the worldwide pandemic caused by the outbreak of the cordyceps fungus, the series follows Joel and Ellie as they cross the country to reach their destination all the while facing the infected, raiders, and other challenges.

The cordyceps fungus actually exists in real life, but it cannot infect humans. However, in “The Last of Us”, the fungus mutates to infect humans, causing the Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI), creating fungal zombies.

Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie are stellar in their respective roles. They both truly capture the emotions of the situations they are in through their fantastic acting.

Known for playing the lead role in “The Mandalorian” and “Narcos,” Pascal perfectly blends being a hardened dad and a soft, protective brother as he worries about those around him.

Ramsey, known for her work in “Game of Thrones,” is perfect for the role. She plays the part of a sassy teenager while still showing the fear that comes along with being young and in a dire situation.

The two combine to make an emotional duo that has the viewer rooting for the entire series. Pascal and Ramsey play off each other’s emotions well making it always feel real. Sadness, fear, and strength are the main components of “The Last of Us,” and the main characters portray those emotions perfectly.

“The Last of Us” is exciting and horrifying. The “infected” as they are called in the show are things spawned from nightmares. The show takes a new spin with the “infected” than with typical zombies seen in countless movies and shows. The fungal zombies look different but feel as though they are closer to reality.

As with any show or movie of this nature, the show brims with suspense. The slow build-up of scenes with eerie music and dark lighting combines with the sounds of the infected nearby (like the museum scene), and it puts the viewer on the edge of their seat waiting to see what Joel and Ellie will do to survive.

“The Last of Us” is a fantastic series that pits survival and relationships against saving humanity. Interjected with deep emotion, the show puts the viewer in a constant state of curiosity, horror, and hope for the characters.

If you haven’t streamed it already, don’t miss it.