Unveiling the Seraphites in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4: How HBO’s Cult Differs from the Game

In The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4, HBO introduces the Seraphites, a chilling religious cult that adds a new layer of tension to Ellie and Dina’s journey through post-apocalyptic Seattle.

Known as the "Scars" for their ritualistic facial scarring, this group is a pivotal faction in The Last of Us Part II video game, and their debut in the show has sparked curiosity among fans.

While the Seraphites’ eerie presence and brutal tactics are faithful to the source material, HBO’s adaptation takes creative liberties that reshape their initial portrayal.

This article dives deep into who the Seraphites are, their role in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4, and how their depiction compares to the game, uncovering the nuances that make this cult both terrifying and fascinating.

Who Are the Seraphites in The Last Of Us Season 2?

The Seraphites, also called the Scars, are a religious cult based in Seattle, formed in the aftermath of the Cordyceps pandemic. Founded by a woman known as the Prophet, they believe the infection was divine punishment for humanity’s sins, advocating a return to a pre-technological, nomadic lifestyle.

In The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4, their presence is felt through gruesome displays, like WLF soldiers hanged and disemboweled at the Channel 13 TV studio, marked with their symbol and the message “Feel her love” written in blood.

Their members wear hooded garments adorned with a distinct symbol and bear self-inflicted facial scars, a ritual referred to as “holy mortification.” Even children, like Constance in Episode 3, carry these marks, suggesting the scars are given early in life.

The Seraphites favor melee weapons like hammers and stealth tools like bows and arrows, communicating through a sophisticated whistling language that enhances their mystique.

What Is the Seraphites’ Role in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4?

In The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4, the Seraphites are central to the escalating conflict in Seattle. The episode highlights their territorial war with the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), or Wolves, who accuse each other of breaking a mysterious truce.

A chilling interrogation scene features WLF leader Isaac torturing a naked Seraphite in a kitchen, seeking information on their plans. The captive defiantly claims that WLF members are defecting to join the Seraphites, hinting at the cult’s growing influence.

Ellie and Dina encounter the Seraphites’ handiwork at the Channel 13 TV studio, where the cult’s brutal tactics—hanging WLF soldiers and marking the scene with their symbol—shock the duo and underscore the Seraphites’ cult-like methods.

This moment, adapted from the game, marks Ellie’s first direct confrontation with the group’s violence, setting the stage for their larger role in her quest for vengeance.

How Does HBO’s Portrayal Differ from the Game?

While The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4 captures the Seraphites’ core traits, HBO introduces them earlier and with distinct changes compared to The Last of Us Part II. In the game, the Seraphites are first encountered later, during Ellie’s Seattle Day 2, often through sudden, violent ambushes like an arrow bolt to her shoulder.

The show, however, name-drops them in Episode 3, showing a group on a forest trail discussing the Prophet, who has been dead for a decade. This earlier introduction builds anticipation and establishes their presence before Ellie’s journey intensifies.

The show also expands on the Seraphites’ conflict with the WLF. In the game, their war is a backdrop, with details emerging gradually through environmental storytelling and Abby’s perspective later in the narrative.

The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4 foregrounds this rivalry, with the interrogation scene explicitly depicting Isaac’s torture methods, which are only implied in the game. The setting shifts from a bathroom in the game to a kitchen in the show, adding a gritty, intimate feel to the brutality.

Another key difference is the show’s focus on the Seraphites’ spiritual ideology. While the game hints at their belief in the Cordyceps as divine judgment, the show directly references the Prophet’s teachings through dialogue, emphasizing her lasting influence despite her death.

This makes the cult feel more immediate and organized, contrasting with the game’s more mysterious, fragmented portrayal.

Why Do the Seraphites’ Tactics Feel More Terrifying in the Show?

The Seraphites’ violence in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4 is amplified for dramatic effect. In the game, their attacks are stealth-based, with players navigating tense encounters in overgrown ruins.

The show, however, leans into cinematic horror, showcasing their gruesome displays at the TV studio with WLF corpses strung up and lit dramatically. The stormy weather and frantic escape sequence add intensity, making the Seraphites’ presence more visceral than the game’s survival-horror stealth sequences.

The show’s depiction of the Seraphites’ symbol, drawn in blood, and their message “Feel her love” carries a stronger thematic weight, tying directly to the Prophet’s spiritual legacy. This contrasts with the game, where such symbols are environmental clues players piece together over time.

The show’s approach prioritizes immediate impact, catering to a non-gaming audience while retaining the cult’s menacing aura.

What Does the Future Hold for the Seraphites in Season 2?

As The Last Of Us Season 2 progresses, the Seraphites are poised to play a larger role, given their significance in The Last of Us Part II. The game delves deeper into their conflict with the WLF through Abby’s perspective, humanizing both factions and exploring the cycle of violence. HBO’s adaptation, spanning multiple seasons, may expand on this, potentially adjusting the game’s narrative to address sensitive themes, like the WLF-Seraphite conflict’s parallels to real-world issues.

The show’s earlier introduction of the Seraphites suggests a slower build-up, possibly exploring their backstory or the Prophet’s origins in greater detail. Fans can expect more encounters with their whistling, bow-wielding members, especially as Ellie’s path intersects with both the WLF and the cult in her pursuit of Abby.

A Cult Reimagined for a New Audience

The Seraphites in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4 are a haunting addition to HBO’s adaptation, blending the game’s core elements with bold changes that enhance their menace and mystique.

By introducing them earlier, emphasizing their spiritual beliefs, and amplifying their violence, the show crafts a portrayal that feels both familiar and fresh. As Ellie and Dina navigate Seattle’s dangers, the Seraphites’ shadow looms large, promising more terror and intrigue.

Whether you’re a gamer or a newcomer, their chilling presence in The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 4 is a testament to HBO’s ability to reimagine a iconic faction for the screen.