Rotten Tomatoes is highlighting The Last of Us Season 2 as a critical success, announcing this week on X that the show is “Certified Fresh” with a 94% rating on the Tomatometer based on 238 critic reviews. However, noticeably absent from the post is any mention of the show’s significantly lower audience score—currently sitting at 39%.
#TheLastOfUs Season 2 is Certified Fresh at 94% on the Tomatometer, with 238 reviews: https://t.co/f1sdPmxpVr pic.twitter.com/DN3A8cgfJd
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) May 26, 2025
The wide gap between critic and audience reception reflects a growing trend in entertainment coverage where high-profile series receive glowing critical endorsements from the legacy access media while viewer dissatisfaction and independent new media reviews are dismissed or ignored. In this case, the disconnect appears especially stark.
The Last of Us Season 2 has faced a wave of fan criticism over its creative direction which was reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes popcorn meter audience rating. This included outrage over the early departure of main character Joel and the introduction of Abby as a central figure. These choices reflect story beats from the video game The Last of Us: Part II, which itself was met with a highly polarized reception upon release in 2020.
The ratings for The Last of Us Season 2 on Rotten Tomatoes – Rotten Tomatoes
Despite the feedback, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have confirmed that Season 3 will continue the adaptation of the Abby storyline. Druckmann, speaking recently on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, stated that gaming creators (or, as he put it, “artists”) should “ignore” media and audience reactions and instead “stick to your guns and do what you believe in.”
Neil Druckmann speaking at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con International, for “The Last of Us”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In defense of the show, some media outlets have attributed the low audience score to so-called “review bombing.” In an article published by Collider, writer Rahul Malhotra claimed the disparity was likely due to bad-faith actors and trolls, writing: “It’s about time to revoke some people’s internet privileges.” While the line may have been written in jest, critics of the article have pointed to the growing tendency to dismiss audience criticism entirely rather than engage with the reasons for the backlash.
For a full editorial picking this take apart, click here.
Collider has published multiple pieces defending The Last of Us from its detractors, often generalizing critical viewers as online trolls and broadening the criticism to those who rejected other major progressive Hollywood releases such as Captain Marvel or Ghostbusters 2016.
Abby in The Last of Us Season 2 – Max
In another article, Malhotra suggested the criticism stemmed from opposition to “mildly progressive politics,” a characterization that many fans dispute.
Others in the entertainment media have responded differently. YouTube film critic Grace Randolph publicly acknowledged that she “really disliked” a recent episode of The Last of Us, but opted to stop reviewing the show rather than continue offering critical coverage. Randolph stated that she didn’t want to “bash” the series and preferred to step away entirely.
Meanwhile, the show’s ratings continue to reflect a significant drop in engagement. After a strong Season 2 premiere, linear viewership numbers have leveled off in the mid-600,000 to 700,000 range. The most show’s penultimate episode drew just 701,000 viewers with a 0.16 rating in the key 18–49 demographic (roughly 160,000 viewers in that segment). The prior episode hit a season low of 652,000 total viewers and a 0.14 demo rating.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams in The Last of Us (2023), HBO
The growing disparity between industry accolades and audience reaction has become a story in itself. This debate over whether fan criticism is legitimate or merely “review bombing” continues to divide commentators and viewers alike.
The Last of Us Season 2 concluded on Sunday, May 25 on HBO. A third season is already in development.\
Are you surprised by The Last of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes score? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
