The Internet’s Wildest Theories About The Last of Us

22 October 2025

If there’s one thing the internet loves more than a good story, it’s tearing that story apart and building absolute madness from it. And when it comes to games with rich lore and emotional rollercoasters, The Last of Us is at the top of the list. It’s dark, gritty, and full of moral grey zones. Naturally, that means fans have had more than a few wild ideas about what’s really going on.

Whether it's crazy conspiracies about the Cordyceps virus, character backstories that dig deeper than they probably should, or timelines that mess with your head — we’ve seen it all. Some theories will make you nod and go, “Hmm, maybe,” while others? They’ll have you questioning reality... or at least Naughty Dog’s intentions.

So, grab your survival gear and a healthy dose of skepticism. Let’s dive into the most bonkers, brilliant, and bizarre theories the internet has cooked up about The Last of Us.

Is Joel Actually the Villain?

Let’s kick things off with the big one: What if Joel isn’t the hero we thought he was?

Sure, he’s a rugged smuggler with a tragic past, and yeah, he forms a beautiful bond with Ellie. But The Last of Us Part I ends with Joel making a massive decision—saving Ellie by butchering an entire hospital full of Fireflies and, oh yeah, dooming humanity’s possible cure.

Some fans argue Joel’s not just morally grey, he’s flat-out the antagonist in disguise. From their perspective, the game is a twisted take on the classic savior narrative. Instead of saving the world, Joel saves his world—Ellie—and lets everyone else burn.

Is it selfish love? Or the ultimate act of humanity? Either way, it’s given rise to Reddit threads more tangled than Ellie’s old cassette tape players.

Ellie Might Be Immune — But Is She the Cure?

Ellie is immune. We know that. Her bite doesn’t turn her, and she’s probably the most valuable person alive in that universe. But here’s the kicker: What if she’s immune but not actually the key to a cure?

Some theorists argue that Ellie's immunity doesn’t automatically mean vaccine-ville. Maybe the Fireflies were never capable of making one, and Joel’s massacre didn’t matter as much as we thought.

Others question if Ellie's “immunity” is even real. Could it be that she has a dormant version of the fungus? Or maybe she’s a carrier—not infected herself, but still able to spread a mutated strain? There’s slim canon evidence for this, but when has that ever stopped the internet?

The Cordyceps Fungus is Evolving… Consciousness?

Okay, now we’re getting really sci-fi.

Some fan theories speculate the Cordyceps fungus isn’t just a mindless infection — it’s learning. Over time, it could be developing a hive mind or some twisted form of intelligence. Think The Borg meets The Walking Dead.

We’ve seen clickers evolve into Bloaters, Shamblers, and even Rat Kings. What’s next? What if the fungus learns to communicate or manipulate humans on a deeper psychological level?

In this theory, the infected aren’t just mindless zombies — they’re infected “ambassadors” of something far more insidious and aware. Creepy, right? It’s like Skynet, but with mushrooms.

The Giraffe Scene? It’s All in Ellie’s Mind

Ah, the giraffe scene. That moment of peace, hope, and awe in an otherwise soul-crushing game. But of course, the internet had to ruin it.

Some fans believe the entire giraffe encounter is a hallucination. Hear them out: Ellie is traumatized, Joel is manipulating her, and they’re in a rundown city crawling with death. Suddenly, a random giraffe strolls into view like it’s the damn Lion King? A little suspicious, yeah?

It’s a beautiful scene, sure. But this theory paints it as a coping mechanism—a mental escape from the horrors Ellie has endured. Whether you believe it’s real or not, it adds a powerful layer of emotional depth to one of the game's most iconic moments.

Abby Was Supposed to Be Playable in Part 1 All Along?

Sure, it sounds wild, but there’s a theory that Abby was originally meant to be introduced way earlier — possibly even as a playable character in Part 1.

The idea is that Naughty Dog had more interconnected backstory plans between Firefly doctors and Joel’s past than they let on. Some fans believe Abby’s revenge arc was seeded all the way back in the first game, and decisions made then were designed with her future in mind.

While there’s no real evidence in early development files, you have to admit it’s not a stretch for a studio as meticulous as Naughty Dog. Planting seeds for heartbreak years in advance? Classic move.

Joel is Already Dead in the Beginning of Part II

Now this one is full tinfoil-hat territory.

Some players are convinced that the beginning of The Last of Us Part II—you know, the part before Joel is actually killed—isn’t real. It’s a dream, a memory, or some kind of death limbo. The in-universe evidence is thin, but thematically? There's something there.

The lighting is soft, the music is nostalgic, and Joel seems more... gentle. It adds a dreamlike quality, and fans jumped on that like it was free medicine in Jackson.

It’s not the most airtight theory, but it does raise the question: How much of what we see is filtered through the emotional states of our characters?

Ellie’s Tattoo Has a Secret Meaning

Is it just a cool design, or is there more to it?

Ellie’s tattoo—a moth perched on a fern—has become one of the game’s most iconic visuals. Fans have dissected it to the moon and back. Here are just a few meanings that have been tossed around:

- Moth to a flame: Ellie is drawn toward dangerous truth, even if it kills her.
- Regrowth and survival: Ferns are one of the oldest plant species, often associated with resilience. Fitting, huh?
- Symbol of transformation: Both the moth and fern are linked to change, and Ellie goes through a lot of that.

Whether you think it’s a subtle metaphor or just a cool tattoo, it’s clear Naughty Dog chose it for a reason.

The Real Enemy? Humanity.

Let’s get existential for a second.

What if the infected aren’t the villains at all? According to some fans, The Last of Us is really about how people are the actual monsters. Not a particularly original theory, but the internet has a knack for taking it to the next level.

Some argue that the Cordyceps outbreak is nature’s way of “resetting” humanity. We poisoned the planet, built corrupt systems, and then got humbled by a mushroom. Karma, in fungal form.

Others point to the endless human-on-human violence throughout the series—raiders, militia groups, cults—as proof that maybe... we were never worth saving?

Brutal. But kind of poetic.

Dina Is Infected, and Ellie Knows It

This theory didn’t get much traction at first, but it’s juicy.

In Part II, Dina gets pregnant and falls ill. But some fans noticed a few lines and scenes that hint at something darker. What if Dina didn’t just have morning sickness—what if she was infected?

It’s not impossible. Ellie herself says Dina has a fever, and they were both exposed to spores. The theory goes that Ellie doesn’t confront her about it because, deep down, she already knows. That heartbreak, combined with Joel’s death and her own guilt, fuels Ellie’s descent into vengeance.

Over-the-top? Maybe. But in a game all about emotional trauma, betrayal, and irreversible decisions, it kinda fits.

Ellie Will Become the Next "Patient Zero"

Okay, buckle up—this one’s wild.

Some theorists believe that Ellie, despite being immune, will somehow become the source of a new mutated Cordyceps strain. Maybe her body adapts. Maybe it turns against itself. Either way, the next evolution of the infection could start with her.

If Naughty Dog continues the series (and let’s be honest, they probably will), this could open a whole new can of infected worms. Imagine a world where Ellie is the cure and the curse, a walking paradox wrapped in survivor’s guilt.

Talk about tragic irony.

Bottom Line: Wild or Not, These Theories Show Fans Care

At the end of the day, whether you think these theories are genius or just internet junk food, they all point to one thing: people love The Last of Us. It’s the kind of story that haunts you, lingers in your brain long after the credits roll, and makes you question what you'd do in a world gone to hell.

And sure, maybe Joel isn't a secret robot. Maybe the giraffes are real. Maybe Ellie’s tattoo doesn’t have 12 layers of hidden meaning. But isn’t it fun to wonder?

So, keep the Reddit threads alive. Keep overanalyzing every screenshot. Who knows — maybe one of these theories will turn out to be true in a future sequel. Until then, we’ll keep speculating, arguing, and loving this beautifully broken world.