In HBO's The Last of Us, Season 2, Episode 2, director Mark Mylod discusses the decision to focus on character motivation over graphic violence. The episode features the brutal murder of Joel by Abby, a pivotal moment driven by vengeance for Joel's previous actions. Mylod clarifies that while the violence was intense, he preferred to keep much of it off-screen, concentrating instead on Abby's backstory and motivations. Despite Joel's death, viewers can expect to see his presence in future episodes as the narrative shifts toward Ellie hunting Abby.
I wanted to avoid overt torture. I don't have much interest in showing violence itself, instead focusing on the motivation behind Abby's actions.
After establishing the brutality and, hopefully, exploring some of the context to why this young person was driven to such extraordinary violence and cruelty, I wanted to keep most of it off screen.
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