The Last Of Us Explained: What Does The Ending Really Mean?

David and his men hunt humans for their flesh. Joel used to rob and kill others just to survive. His partner in crime, Tess, sums it up best: "We're sh*tty people", to which Joel responds: "We're survivors." Yet, Tess is the one that ultimately wins the argument.

She does so because she's able to convince Joel that Ellie is their shot at redemption. Reluctant to admit she's right, Joel takes on what seems the whole world just to deliver Ellie to the Fireflies.

However, despite learning that Ellie needs to die in order to deliver a cure for the disease, which would actually help humanity, Joel egotistically decides to save her. By making the decision for Ellie, Joel once again sacrifices his humanity by killing the Fireflies and their leader.

However, in the end, his sacrifice may be in vain.

When asking him about others being immune to the disease not once, but twice, Ellie expresses the desire to sacrifice her life for a greater good. This actually makes her more moral - hence more human - than Joel.