Abby Anderson — Villain or Victim? The Truth That Divides The Last of Us Fans

In the brutal, emotionally charged world of The Last of Us, no character has sparked more controversy than Abby Anderson. From the moment she stepped onto the screen in Season 2, Abby shocked audiences—not just through her violent actions, but because the story dared to challenge viewers' sense of morality and justice.

The woman who broke millions of hearts

Abby is the one who kills Joel, the beloved protagonist from Season 1, in a moment of raw vengeance and brutality. To many fans, this was unforgivable. But is that the full story?

A calculated killer, or a broken soul seeking justice?

Abby didn’t kill Joel out of pure cruelty. Her father, Dr. Jerry Anderson, was the Firefly surgeon Joel murdered in order to save Ellie. To Abby, Joel wasn’t a hero—he was the man who destroyed her world. Her act of vengeance, while horrifying, was deeply personal and rooted in pain. Can we really condemn her without understanding what she lost?

Redemption or ruin?

After avenging her father, Abby doesn't find peace. Instead, she’s consumed by guilt and trauma. But her journey changes direction when she meets Lev and Yara, two young siblings from an enemy faction. Through them, Abby begins to question everything—her past, her violence, her identity. She tries to break free from the cycle of hatred, even as others refuse to let go.

A bold narrative decision

What makes Abby’s story so powerful—and divisive—is that The Last of Us forces players and viewers to live as her. You fight in her shoes. You suffer through her losses. You face her enemies, many of whom were once your allies. The show takes a massive creative risk by flipping the perspective—and for some, it’s brilliant. For others, it’s betrayal.

The uncomfortable mirror

Abby Anderson isn’t just a character—she’s a mirror reflecting the brutal truth of this universe: that no one is purely good or evil. That love and revenge often look the same. That survival means sacrifice, and sometimes, becoming the very thing you once feared.

You may hate her. You may grow to understand her. But one thing is certain—you won’t forget her.