The Seraphites: The Most Terrifying Faction Arrives in The Last of Us Season 2!

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Summary

  • The Seraphites are the most gruesome faction in The Last of Us franchise, using religion to justify violent acts.
  • The game and show depict the brutal practices of the Seraphites, implying HBO will not censor any gory details.
  • Season 2 will explore the motivations of the Seraphite characters, maintaining the violent nature of the faction.

In anticipation of Season 2 of “The Last of Us” premiering on HBO on April 13th, viewers who have solely watched the series and haven’t played the games are about to encounter one of the most frightening human groups in the franchise. The games excelled at crafting horrors that went beyond the Cordyceps virus by introducing terrifying human adversaries. Unlike many post-apocalyptic stories, which primarily rely on visually disturbing undead creatures to scare their audience, these enemies possess consciousness and free will. They’re not just mindlessly following instincts; they actively choose to commit acts of violence. This makes them even more chilling.

In Season 1 of “The Last of Us,” there was no hesitation to portray the human adversaries faithfully as depicted in the game. Some enemies, like the Pittsburgh hunters, were given a more sympathetic treatment, showing their backstory and motivations instead of being mindless killers. However, other groups such as David’s cannibals were portrayed as truly terrifying, with no holds barred when it came to depicting their violent and disturbing nature. Despite the fear these factions instilled, the second game, “The Last of Us Part 2,” unveiled an even more brutal group, the Seraphites, who will undoubtedly make an appearance in the upcoming season.

The Sepharites’ Origins in The Last of Us

The Seraphites represent a religious sect based in Seattle, established following the Cordyceps outbreak. They interpret this disaster as divine retribution for contemporary transgressions, leading them towards traditional values. Their attire is modest, primarily consisting of simple robes, and all male members shave their heads. The Seraphites revere a single messiah known as ‘The Prophet’. During the outbreak, she envisioned an equal society and devised guidelines and prayers for her followers. Among these regulations was a prohibition on utilizing items originating from before the pandemic, which they refer to as ‘artifacts of the old world.’

The people known as the Seraphites are often called ‘Scars’. This nickname comes from the scars that all of them bear on their faces, stretching from their lips to their cheeks. This tradition was established by their prophet, symbolizing the inherent flaws in all mankind. However, it’s important to note that this is not a term they favor; it’s more commonly used by their adversaries, The Washington Liberation Front (WLF).

In Seattle, the Seraphites and the WLF have been at odds over territory ever since the WLF ousted FEDRA and seized the land. Historically, these two groups have mostly acted as bitter adversaries, with a brief period of peace being an exception. The game implies that the WLF perceive the Seraphites as uncivilized brutes, and given some of their practices, this perspective is not unjustified.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, the game offers numerous chilling scenes portraying the brutal acts of violence committed by the Seraphites. In one particularly harrowing sequence during Ellie’s journey, a band of Seraphites execute an enemy, hanging him from a noose and slitting his abdomen with a blade following their claim that he was tainted with sin. The moment of death is marked by the Seraphites around them chanting “they are now free.” Their actions are fueled by their religious convictions, which they use as a means to legitimize their violence. This sense of righteous duty makes them an incredibly intimidating faction to cross paths with in the game.

It’s Unlikely HBO Will Censor The Seraphites’ Brutality

Based on how season 1 unfolded, it seems unlikely that Craig Mazin would shy away from including gruesome details in future episodes as he aims to keep the series appealing to a wider audience. Given the impressive commercial success of the initial season, Mazin and his team are likely to have considerable creative latitude moving forward.

The trailer for the upcoming show doesn’t display many scenes involving the Seraphites, yet it suggests that their brutal customs may play a significant role. Remarkably, one scene appears to reenact the gruesome act mentioned earlier, where a Seraphite drags a scythe across a log before lifting it toward a person hanging by their neck. However, the trailer swiftly transitions to another scene, leaving viewers unsure of the extent of violence in this particular moment. Given the history of the franchise, viewers are likely to be on edge, eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Seraphites.

In Season 2, we can expect a deeper exploration of the personalities and reasons behind the actions of the Seraphites, without softening their fundamental nature. Just like the game, this approach will be achieved by introducing characters such as Yara and Lev, who are part of the Seraphite faction. There will be several instances where Lev imparts knowledge about the more tranquil, spiritual aspects of his faith to Abby.

To put it simply, “The Last of Us Part 2” is a narrative filled with paradoxes. Each principal character engages in brutal actions, yet they find means to rationalize them. This violence serves as a narrative tool, showcasing these inconsistencies and hypocrisies. However, the debut of the Seraphites will bring a fresh level of intensity and fear that viewers have not experienced before within the “The Last of Us” series on television screens.

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2025-04-12 01:25