Ellie is the protagonist of The Last of Us franchise, and her choices define the story. Across the games and HBO series, players often ask who does Ellie kill and why those moments matter.
This guide maps out key moments, motivations, and consequences around the characters Ellie kills, comparing game and show outcomes and highlighting how each encounter shapes her arc.
| Title | Medium | Relationship to Ellie | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| David | Game & HBO | Leader of the cannibal faction | Killed in self-defense to save Joel and herself |
| Bill | Game | Former neighbor and supply partner | Killed by Ellie to end his zombified state |
| Marlene | Game | Firefly leader and recruiter | Killed by Ellie to prevent Joel’s sacrifice |
| Abby Anderson | Game & HBO | Antagonist turned complex rival | Spared in the game; fought in the series finale |
Context: Ellie’s World After Outbreak
Before examining who does Ellie kill, it is important to understand how survival and morality intertwine in her world. The infected and hostile factions create environments where killing is often framed as necessity rather than choice.
Ellie’s relationships with other survivors further blur lines between ally and threat, making each lethal decision emotionally charged and narratively significant.
Key Story Moments: Who Does Ellie Kill in the Games
The original The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II place Ellie in situations where lethal force becomes central to the plot. These kills are not random; they emerge from trauma, duty, and the pursuit of closure.
- David in the Colorado mountains represents a desperate battle for survival and care for Joel.
- Bill’s zombified form forces Ellie to end his suffering and reclaim a promised Bill’s package.
- Marlene’s death is a calculated sacrifice to prevent Joel from losing his chance to be with Ellie.
- Abby in Part II tests whether revenge can ever lead to peace.
Narrative Function of Her Kills
Each kill Ellie commits serves a narrative purpose beyond advancing the plot. These moments reveal how isolation, grief, and protection shape a young woman pushed to moral extremes.
The games use these encounters to challenge the player, turning Ellie from a side character into a complex lens for examining justice and consequence.
Ellie vs Abby in Part II
The rivalry between Ellie and Abby defines The Last of Us Part II. While Abby is not always a direct target, their cycles of violence show how killing begets more killing.
Understanding who does Ellie kill here requires looking at motivation, shifting identities, and the cost of trying to reclaim stability after relentless loss.
The Last of Us HBO Series Interpretations
The HBO series adapts key kills but alters pacing and context, particularly with David and Marlene. Showrunners emphasize emotional fallout and moral gray areas, sometimes softening or heightening the brutality of these moments.
Viewers familiar with the games see both parallels and divergences in how the screen version portrays who does Ellie kill and what it means for her character.
Key Takeaways and Responsible Context
- Ellie’s kills are framed as survival, revenge, and protection within brutal environments.
- The narrative weighs emotional cost against practical necessity in a collapsed world.
- Gameplay and storytelling treat these moments as defining choices rather than background events.
- Comparisons between game and show highlight different pacing and thematic priorities.
- Understanding who does Ellie kill helps illuminate her character growth and moral complexity.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why does Ellie kill Marlene in The Last of Us game?
Ellie kills Marlene to stop the Firefly plan to sacrifice Joel, choosing her own future with Joel over the potential cure for humanity.
Who does Ellie kill to save Joel in the Colorado mountains?
Ellie kills David, the leader of a cannibal group, to protect herself and Joel from being killed and eaten.
Does Ellie kill Bill, and what happens to him in the game?
Ellie kills Bill after he turns into a runner; she ends his zombified state and retrieves his promised supplies and weapons.
How does Ellie’s killing of Abby conclude in Part II and the series?
In the games, Ellie ultimately spares Abby, while the HBO series shows a physical confrontation that resolves their conflict without a final kill.