HBO Just Killed Off Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ and Fans Are Freaking Out

Hbo Just Killed Off Joel In ‘the Last Of Us’ And Fans Are Freaking Out (IMG SOURCE: screenrant.com)

Can you say devastating? HBO just dropped a bombshell on The Last of Us fans, and no, it’s not some post-apocalyptic creature — it’s Joel himself. Yep, you read that right. Pedro Pascal’s beloved character met his untimely demise in the second episode of Season 2, leaving us all speechless. RIP, Joel.

This wasn’t some quick, casual exit, either. The scene was brutal, emotional, and straight out of the video game’s playbook. Abby, remember her? The daughter of that doc Joel offed in Season 1, finally gets her revenge in the most savage way — a golf club to Joel’s face. Ouch. It’s The Last of Us doing what it does best: hitting us where it hurts.

Fans on Twitter are absolutely losing it. Some are crying, some are mourning, and honestly, some are still trying to process the fact that the one person we thought was invincible… well, isn’t. “Noooo! Not Joel! Why would they do this?!” one fan tweeted. Another posted, “I knew it was coming, but that doesn’t mean I was ready.”

That was genuinely one of the best episodes of television ever. The writing, the dialogue, the action, the tension building up, the sense of danger hanging over the entirety of the episode, the action, and ofcourse the incredible acting performances. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/2bx6M7HNee

— ES 🌙 (@dinmurdock) April 21, 2025

Me watching Joel die even though I played the game #TheLastOfUspic.twitter.com/8c7Q7ddijC

— kira 🍉 (@shivmcavoy) April 21, 2025

me trying to kill abby through my tv screen to save joel #TheLastOfUs
pic.twitter.com/tD9cCB8ETq

— emma⟢🐈‍⬛ (@cosmicoraline) April 21, 2025

Me trying to save Joel#TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/rnpKXajZjm

— Sancheezzzy (@Scoby20) April 21, 2025

But hey, this is what makes the show so amazing, right? No one’s safe. And honestly, if you thought Joel was gonna just coast through life forever — did you even play the game?

Pedro Pascal, who’s given us some of the most iconic TV moments of the decade, didn’t exactly take this lightly. In an interview, he admitted, “It wasn’t easy. But I trusted the story.” And we’re pretty sure he’s not kidding. That scene was tough to watch, but it was also, well… necessary. It sets up Ellie’s storyline in a way that promises to be just as gut-wrenching. Get your tissues ready.

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann didn’t exactly hold back on this one, either. They’ve been planning this moment for years, and they know it’s going to stir things up. “Joel’s death is Ellie’s turning point,” Mazin explained. “It’s about what comes next.” And trust us, what’s coming next is definitely going to have us all on the edge of our seats.

For now, the question on everyone’s mind is — what’s next for Ellie? With Joel gone, the focus is all on her, and if you know anything about the game, we’re about to dive deep into some major emotional turmoil. Buckle up, because it’s gonna be a wild ride.