Why is The Last of Us Season 2 being review-bombed? Rotten Tomatoes ratings, explored

Hold up, y'all—The Last of Us Season 2 has dropped onto our televisions, and the internet already stands divided! As critics give glowing reviews to the show, watchers aren't necessarily keeping the same pace. On paper, at least with a Rotten Tomatoes critics rating of 92–93%, the series is doing marvelously. But take one look at the audience score (currently around 71%), and you’ll see a different story playing out.

So why the disconnect? Is Season 2 being review-bombed? Short answer: no. The ratings reflect actual viewer reactions to aired episodes, not pre-release drama. The initial episodes of Season 2 have already been screened up until April 2025, and the critiques are based on the show's existing content, not speculation regarding what could occur.

The decrease in audience score from Season 1 (which was rated 88%) stems from real-time reactions to the adaptation of certain story arcs taken directly from the game's more polarizing sequel.

What is review bombing, and is it occurring in The Last of Us Season 2?

Let's get real. Review bombing is normally the bulk posting of negative reviews, frequently with nothing to do with the content itself, as an act of protest. It tends to strike before a show or movie even opens, usually hitting on something like casting, politics, or something in dispute.

But that is not what is going on with The Last of Us Season 2. The criticisms up to this point are directly related to episodes that have already been broadcast, not hypothetical plot twists or internet outrage campaigns promoted ahead of time.

There is no widespread indication that fans have coordinated to tank the ratings of the show out of spite before viewing it. Rather, the lower audience rating is a manifestation of divided reactions to the ways some storylines have been translated from the game—storylines that always stood to polarize fans, depending on how they played out in The Last of Us Part II.

Difference in scores of the critics and the audience with regards to The Last of Us Season 2

The story is woven together by the Rotten Tomatoes ratings. The general public opinion is more divided, but the critics are nearly universal in their approval of their awards, lauding the acting, directing, and emotional impact of the series. While a 71% rating is far from a disaster, what it does show is that there are people who are not at fault for the creative choices made in Season 2.

This kind of critic-audience divide is not uncommon, especially with a show as widely popular and polarizing as The Last of Us. Worth noting is that a lot of the negative criticisms were written following viewing early screeners of several episodes, meaning they had a larger sample of the season than most viewers did. That's part of the reason why critics might seem more in tune with the direction of the show than the week-to-week fan reaction.

What's behind the mixed responses for The Last of Us Season 2?

The most common theme of negative criticism? Story choices. Specifically, the strict adherence to polarizing plot points from The Last of Us Part II. While these scenes are dramatic and story-justified, they're against the grain of audience expectation and emotional investment in specific characters. And that's where it gets nasty.

Some fans of The Last of Us Season 2 enjoy the risks and narrative depth, but others feel betrayed by where the show goes. That emotional schism isn't new—it reflected the response to the second game back in 2020. The only thing different now is that HBO's adaptation brings those beats to a much broader, more mainstream audience, and not everyone is on the same page.

The Rotten Tomatoes audience score of The Last of Us Season 2 is based on real reactions to episodes that have actually aired, not hypothetical outrage or organized campaigns. The critic score is still high, indicating solid craftsmanship, but the viewer ratings are based on real emotional reactions to risky storytelling choices.

As with many high-profile series, especially ones adapting divisive source material, fan reactions will vary. But this time, it’s not about bots or review brigades. It’s about the story itself—and how willing people are to follow where it leads.

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Also read: When will The Last of Us Season 2 air the next episode? Release and streaming details, explored

The Last of Us Season 2: HBO drops release date updates for the upcoming chapter of its post-apocalyptic drama

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