THE LIVING DEAD AND DEHUMANIZATION: A STUDY OF THE 'THE LAST OF US' SERIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LIVED RELIGION

• Autor(a) principal: Saldanha, Marcelo Ramos
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Cézar Adam, Júlio, Bento da Silva, Ruben Marcelino
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Caminhos (Goiânia. Online)
• Texto Completo: https://seer.pucgoias.edu.br/index.php/caminhos/article/view/13424
• topic: The Last of Us; Lived Religion; Living Dead; Dehumanization; The Last of Us; Religião vivida; Mortos-Vivos; Desumanização

Using the hermeneutics of lived religion, the article analyzes the representation of the living dead in the series "The Last of Us" (HBO max) and explores some theological elements present in it. The series depicts a post-apocalyptic world in which a considerable part of humanity has been infected by a parasitic fungus called Cordyceps. The series addresses themes such as fear, human nature, morality, parenthood, and loss, exploring the relationship between the main characters, Joel and Ellie. We will discuss the representation of the living dead in pop culture, including the series, seeking to understand how such representation reflects anxiety regarding mortality and loss of control in the face of a global infestation, and more specifically, dehumanization itself. The article also explores the thematic potential related to religion in the construction of the living dead, such as the materialization of chaos and anti-life, as well as the redemptive and messianic nature of the characters Ellie and Joel. The ambiguity of ethical construction and the limits of the Christological interpretation of the character Ellie are discussed in relation to the interpretation of Ellie's actions and the limits of her freedom.