The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: Why the 39% Audience Score Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings have sparked heated debate, with the audience score plummeting to a shocking 39% despite a near-perfect 95% critics’ score. While this stark divide might suggest a drop in quality, the reality is more complex.

The low audience score is heavily influenced by backlash to a pivotal event in Episode 2, perceived political agendas, and Rotten Tomatoes’ lack of robust verification for TV audience reviews, making the show vulnerable to review bombing.

This article explores why you shouldn’t take the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings at face value and why the show’s quality deserves a closer look.

What’s Driving the Low Audience Score?

The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings have been dragged down primarily by fan outrage over a major plot point in Episode 2: [spoiler redacted to avoid revealing sensitive plot details].

This mirrors the 2020 review bombing of The Last of Us Part II video game, which saw its Metacritic user score drop to 3.4/10 for similar reasons. Posts on X and web reports indicate that much of the negativity stems from fans’ emotional attachment to certain characters, not necessarily the show’s craftsmanship.

Additionally, some audience reviews cite dissatisfaction with casting choices, particularly Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie, and perceived “woke” elements, such as the queer relationship between Ellie and Dina.

These complaints often focus on ideological objections rather than acting, directing, or writing quality, skewing the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings downward.

How Does Review Bombing Affect the Ratings?

Review bombing—when groups deliberately flood platforms with negative reviews to manipulate scores—has hit The Last of Us Season 2 hard. The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings reflect this, with the audience score dropping from 60% to 39% as the season progressed.

Unlike IMDb, which shows a 9.5/10 for Episode 2, Rotten Tomatoes’ TV audience reviews lack stringent verification, allowing unverified users to post ratings easily.

This vulnerability was evident in past cases, like Captain Marvel (2019), which prompted Rotten Tomatoes to revise its movie review system but not its TV metrics. Without a “Verified Purchase” equivalent for TV viewership, trolls can target shows like The Last of Us, inflating negative feedback and distorting the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings.

Why Do Critics Love the Show?

Despite the Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings audience score, critics have awarded the show a 95% “Certified Fresh” rating, praising its emotional depth, performances, and visual richness. Collider’s Ross Bonaime called it “the strongest video game adaptation ever,” highlighting Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal’s compelling performances.

The critical consensus notes the show’s ability to balance action, psychological complexity, and human emotion, even if it’s darker than Season 1.

This disconnect suggests the audience score doesn’t reflect objective quality but rather polarized reactions to narrative choices. Critics, who review the full season, focus on storytelling and production, while audience scores often capture immediate emotional responses, further complicating the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings.

Are There Legitimate Criticisms of the Show?

Some audience complaints about The Last Of Us Season 2 do address quality, such as pacing issues or deviations from the game, like changes to Abby’s storyline. However, these are often overshadowed by vitriolic reviews targeting cast members like Kaitlyn Dever and Isabela Merced for reasons unrelated to their performances.

Forbes notes that while Season 2 may not match Season 1’s impact, the 39% score exaggerates any quality dip, driven more by backlash than fair critique.

The show’s viewership remains strong, with 5.3 million tuning in for the premiere, a 13% increase from Season 1. This suggests that the vocal minority review bombing the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings doesn’t represent the broader audience.

How Can You Judge the Show Fairly?

To assess The Last of Us Season 2 beyond the The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings, watch it yourself and focus on its merits: the acting, cinematography, and narrative ambition.

Engage with critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic (81/100) for a balanced perspective, and avoid spoilers that might color your experience. Platforms like X show mixed fan reactions, with some praising the show’s bold choices, indicating the audience score isn’t the full picture.

Rotten Tomatoes’ lack of TV audience verification means scores can be manipulated, so prioritize your own viewing experience over aggregated numbers. The show’s critical acclaim and viewership suggest it’s resonating despite the review bombing.

Why You Should Give The Last of Us Season 2 a Chance

The Last Of Us Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Ratings may scream failure at 39%, but this score is less about the show’s quality and more about emotional fan reactions, ideological gripes, and Rotten Tomatoes’ verification shortcomings.

With a 95% critics’ score, strong viewership, and praise for its bold storytelling, The Last of Us Season 2 is far from a flop. Don’t let review bombers dictate your opinion—watch it on HBO or Max, form your own judgment, and see why critics call it a standout.

New episodes air Sundays on HBO and stream Mondays on Max. Share your thoughts on X and join the conversation about this polarizing season.

Is it worth the watch? You decide.