Is Joel Really The Villain In The Last Of Us?

1. The Road To Hell...

In the world of The Last of Us, there are no clear cut right-or-wrong answers, and Joel's entire character is emblematic of that complex predicament. He kills, tortures and dominates other survivors for reasons everyone can empathise with; he wants to save the people he loves, he wants to make sure they can survive this harsh world, and he doesn't think about what the moral cost might be to achieve that.

In his eyes, sacrificing his humanity is justified, but the salient issue that muddies these good intentions is simple: it's all born out of selfishness.

At no point does he ask the people he's trying to save what they want; he can't understand why Tommy loathes him after years living rough on the road, he assumes how Ellie would react to the sacrificial dilemma posed by Marlene, and refuses to open up to anyone for a good chunk of the game in case he gets hurt. He takes away their agency, thrives on "you're with me or against me" manipulation and is so militant about being the predator rather than the prey because he can't afford to lose anyone else, regardless of whether or not his companions think his way of surviving is any way to live.

Still, there's a reason why Ellie accepts his lie at the very end. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and Joel knows that's exactly where he's going one day, but in embracing the role of the villain he's secured Ellie a home, a life, and a future as a person, rather than a lab rat.

The question is: Do these selfish reasons and justifications make him evil... or more human?