Fans who enjoyed Oscar Isaac’s recent portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and are searching for another gripping viewing experience should turn their attention to the highly rated HBO series “The Last of Us.” With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and a reputation for emotional depth and narrative complexity, this Oscar Isaac Frankenstein HBO thriller connection is quickly becoming a focal point for fans looking for their next unforgettable show.
“Frankenstein” on Netflix, known for its chilling emotional journey and the powerful performance by Oscar Isaac as Victor, leaves many viewers longing for a story with similar weight and atmosphere. “The Last of Us,” available on HBO with two seasons currently streaming, builds on those themes, offering a devastated world, thorny characters, and storylines that demand more from viewers than just passive watching.
Exploring the Deep Emotional Resonance in Frankenstein and The Last of Us
In Guillermo del Toro’s vision for “Frankenstein,” audiences experience the tale through shifting perspectives: at times seeing the world through Victor Frankenstein’s eyes, other times through the Creature’s. This dual perspective brings a relentless emotional clash, as Victor’s ambition collides with the fragile humanity he attempts to control. Oscar Isaac’s performance amplifies the tragic consequences of unchecked creation, while the Creature’s journey for belonging and meaning lingers after the credits roll.
Just as “Frankenstein” leaves its viewers emotionally raw, “The Last of Us” introduces Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, and Ellie, brought to life by Bella Ramsey, as they trek through a landscape destroyed by a fungal outbreak. Both characters continually wrestle with survival and loss, forming bonds in a world that has all but fallen apart. The focus here is as much on human connection and the burdens of love as it is on outside threats—mirroring the inner struggles of Frankenstein’s characters.
Key figures like Joel, Ellie, and Victor are not only haunted by what they have done, but by what they have lost and what they struggle to protect. Just as Joel is undone by love and Ellie becomes his anchor, Victor and his creation serve as a parallel—the need for redemption, the longing for acceptance, and the pain of isolation. The creatures of “The Last of Us,” those infected by the fungus, serve as constant reminders of what has been lost, in much the same way Victor’s creation is a living testament to folly and despair.
Visual Storytelling: Immersive Realism and Boundless Imagination
Guillermo del Toro’s approach in “Frankenstein” stands out for its grand scale. The imposing sets, elaborate costumes, and the chilling backdrop transport viewers into a world where each frame feels meticulously crafted. The result is a sensation of being dwarfed by the sheer enormity of the story—snowstorms rage, and reanimated experiments blur the line between life and monstrosity.
In contrast, “The Last of Us” utilizes its HBO budget to ground its narrative in stark realism. Every element, from crumbling architecture to battered clothes and weathered landscapes, is designed to evoke a sense of loss and decay. The authenticity of the ruined world on screen makes audiences feel as if they’re walking through a haunted, lived-in universe, with the remnants of civilization still present and tangible.
What unites these works is not only artistic craftsmanship but the emotional effect on the viewer—a sense that the world depicted could collapse or blossom at any moment, drawing you deeper into the story. Whether through del Toro’s grand visuals or the tactile, raw tone of HBO’s epic series, fans of Oscar Isaac’s Frankenstein will find themselves naturally at home in “The Last of Us.”
The Striking Parallels: Heartbreak, Survival, and Human Consequence
At their core, both stories cut to the heart of what it means to be human amid chaos. “Frankenstein” opens up questions of responsibility and remorse, as Victor attempts to flee from the consequences of his actions while wishing to reclaim control. The Creature, learning by surviving pain and rejection, reflects on creation’s unintended consequences—reminding audiences of the dangerous results that stem from unchecked ambition.
Meanwhile, in “The Last of Us,” the lines between good and bad blur constantly. Joel, desperate to keep Ellie safe, must decide what he is willing to sacrifice, with every action getting weighed against survival. The infected aren’t simply mindless threats—they serve as evidence of what humanity once was and what it has become.
As viewers watch both “Frankenstein” and “The Last of Us,” they are asked the same questions about moral responsibility and the price of caring for others. Whether it’s Victor’s inability to care for his own creation or Joel’s steadfast loyalty to Ellie, both narratives focus on the risks and pains tied to love and accountability. By examining these intimate conflicts, both works elevate their horror elements into stories of sorrow, courage, and difficult choices.
Why The Last of Us Is the Ideal Follow-Up to Frankenstein
After the emotionally charged experience of watching “Frankenstein,” audiences may search for another story that values depth over spectacle. “The Last of Us,” while intense and at times brutal, does not shy away from exploring relationships—every pause in dialogue, every decision faced by Joel or Ellie, is heavy with meaning. The silence that fills the spaces between action speaks as loudly as the memorable outbursts.
For viewers who appreciate the layered exploration of what it means to create, to lose, and to fight for survival, “The Last of Us” acts as a spiritual companion to “Frankenstein.” The series goes beyond surface-level scares or dystopian set pieces, instead puppeteering the same emotional strings that made Oscar Isaac’s Victor and his creation so haunting and memorable.
Both tales challenge the audience to reflect on what it means to care for others, to face their own consequences, and to accept the often messy reality of being human in worlds that are indifferent or even hostile to compassion. The robust cast—including Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie—infuses each scene with real emotion, drawing immediate comparisons to the nuanced performances in “Frankenstein.”
What’s Next for Fans of Frankenstein and The Last of Us?
Given the overwhelming emotional resonance and thematic complexity found in both “Frankenstein” and “The Last of Us,” these two works occupy a unique space for viewers looking for more than just fleeting entertainment. Paired together, they offer a conversation across genres and centuries about the nature of creation, loss, and survival, inviting extended reflection long after the screen goes dark.
With the success of “The Last of Us” on HBO, including the critical attention garnered by its second season, the series is poised to keep captivating audiences who appreciate stories rooted in character development and ethical dilemmas. Key creative voices and actors like Oscar Isaac and Pedro Pascal continue to define the gold standard for emotionally intense storytelling on screen, making it likely that the conversation about these modern classics will grow even more fervent as new audiences discover them.
As the TV landscape continues to expand, fans of Oscar Isaac’s “Frankenstein” and those gripped by HBO’s “The Last of Us” will find themselves revisiting these stories—or looking for future shows and films that echo the themes, grit, and emotional weight they offer. The connection between these two works speaks to a larger hunger for meaningful drama that doesn’t shy away from exploring darkness, complexity, and the messy business of being human.
