Grave of the Fireflies is not currently available on HBO Max due to licensing rights. Despite being a Studio Ghibli film, the distributing rights are not owned by Studio Ghibli, making it unavailable on the streaming library. This is a significant absence for many viewers who would expect to watch Studio Ghibli’s other films on HBO Max. The reason behind this is that Studio Ghibli does not own the distribution rights to the movie, which is based on a published short story.
The reason for this is that the licensing rights to Grave of the Fireflies are held by Sentai Filmworks, despite Studio Ghibli making the movie. This allowed Sentai Filmworks to strike a deal separate from the overall Max and Studio Ghibli agreement in place for the United States. As a result, Grave of the Fireflies is unable to join the new HBO Max streaming library.
One of the main reasons the United States and Canada did not receive access to the Ghibli Library through Netflix is due to HBO Max, which previously purchased the streaming rights in the United States and Canada for Peter Jackson’s Middle-Earth epics. However, the middle Hobbit film, The Desolation of Smaug, is now available on HBO Max.
The entire Studio Ghibli library is finally in one place, but not for Grave of the Fireflies. HBO Max brokered its licensing deal with Studio Ghibli and its parent company directly, so Grave of the Fireflies is unable to join the new library.
In conclusion, Grave of the Fireflies is the only Studio Ghibli movie not heading to HBO Max when the streaming service launches next year. While most of the Studio Ghibli movies are available on HBO Max, Grave of the Fireflies is not available on the streaming library due to licensing rights.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Grave of the fireflies? : r/HBOMAX | Sentai Filmworks holds the lisceneing rights for it and HBO Max only has the ones Hayao Miyazaki worked on. Upvote | reddit.com |
| HBO Max: Why Grave of the Fireflies Is Missing from Its … | HBO Max brokered its licensing deal with Studio Ghibli and its parent company directly, so Grave of the Fireflies is unable to join the new … | comicbook.com |
| Por que O Túmulo dos Vagalumes não está no HBO Max? | Provavelmente um contrato de licenciamento diferente para esse filme. edit: https://comicbook.com/anime/news/grave-of-the-fireflies–hbo–max– … | reddit.com |
📹 The Last of Us Scientist Warns: The Fungus Controls Its Host Like a Puppet
In Episode 1 of “The Last Of Us,” a doctor talks about viral outbreaks and pandemics in the ’60s. The main concern isn’t bacteria; …
Is Grave Of The Fireflies Coming To Netflix?
Studio Ghibli's poignant animated film, Grave of the Fireflies, will be exclusively available for streaming on Netflix starting September 16, 2024, in over 190 countries, excluding Japan. This release is part of Netflix's commitment to enhancing its collection of high-quality anime. Grave of the Fireflies, originally released in 1988, tells the harrowing story of two orphans navigating the brutal realities of post-World War II Japan as they struggle with hunger and the harshness of their environment.
Alongside this feature, Studio Ghibli's latest film, The Boy and the Heron, will be available on Netflix starting October 7, 2023. While Grave of the Fireflies is deeply allegorical and often regarded as its more heartbreaking counterpart, it was released as a double feature with the more whimsical and family-friendly My Neighbor Totoro, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
As viewers prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that lies ahead, it's clear that this film will resonate as one of Ghibli's most impactful works, prompting reflections on war and survival. The anticipation surrounding its availability draws attention to the power of animation to convey profound human experiences. Don't forget to grab your tissues—this is a film that promises to leave a lasting impression.
Mark your calendars for this significant addition to Netflix's anime repertoire as Grave of the Fireflies arrives on September 16.
Is Grave Of The Fireflies On Hulu?
Grave of the Fireflies is currently available for streaming on Hulu, making it one of the first Studio Ghibli films to be accessible on streaming platforms. Historically, this film was the sole Ghibli title available for digital download, though it is accessible on Amazon in other countries outside the US and Canada, and strangely, not even available for streaming in Japan. The streaming rights complexities stem from the film being produced for Shinchosha rather than Ghibli's parent company, Tokuma Shoten.
Consequently, it is not available on HBO Max. For viewers interested in a more extensive Ghibli marathon, while other platforms like HBO, Netflix, and Prime Video do not host the film, it can be found for purchase on iTunes and Vudu.
Grave of the Fireflies tells the tragic story of two orphans struggling to survive in post-World War II Japan, highlighting dire societal conditions and the human condition during wartime. Released in 1988 and directed by co-founder Isao Takahata, it often contrasts with the more family-friendly tone of other Ghibli films, such as My Neighbor Totoro, which was released as a double feature alongside it.
Despite its heavy themes, the film is critically acclaimed and recognized as one of the most powerful animated movies. As of now, Hulu possesses the exclusive streaming rights, catering to subscribers who wish to experience this poignant tale.
Why Does HBO Max Not Have Grave Of The Fireflies?
The absence of "Grave of the Fireflies" from HBO Max and Netflix is attributed to a rights issue. Unlike other Studio Ghibli films, the distribution rights for this particular movie do not belong to Studio Ghibli but to the publisher of the original short story, Shinchosha. Consequently, as Ghibli made the film based on a published work, they were unable to secure the distribution rights for streaming on HBO Max.
While HBO Max will host numerous Ghibli titles, including 12 that are not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, "Grave of the Fireflies" will not be part of that collection. Instead, it is available through Hulu.
The licensing situation is further complicated by the involvement of Sentai Filmworks, which currently holds the licensing rights for "Grave of the Fireflies." Therefore, this film has been excluded from the HBO Max deal. Additionally, the streaming rights offered by HBO Max in the United States and Canada affected Netflix's access to the Ghibli library in those regions, as HBO Max secured rights directly from Ghibli and its parent company. Since HBO Max is not expected to be available outside North America, Netflix has likely seized the opportunity to stream Ghibli content outside this territory.
In summary, "Grave of the Fireflies" is the only Ghibli film omitted from HBO Max's launch lineup due to these complex rights issues, and it remains accessible through other platforms like Hulu.
Why Is Grave Of The Fireflies Not Available?
Grave of the Fireflies is a significant omission from various streaming platforms' anime libraries primarily due to licensing issues. Released in 1988 by Studio Ghibli, the film was part of a double feature alongside My Neighbor Totoro, a beloved family-friendly movie by Hayao Miyazaki. In stark contrast, Grave of the Fireflies, although lesser-known, is recognized for its poignant portrayal of war and its emotional gravity. Unlike other Studio Ghibli films, the distribution rights for Grave of the Fireflies are not held by the studio but by publisher Shinchosha, which published the original short story it is based on.
This has resulted in the film being largely unavailable on platforms like Netflix outside specific countries; it is not accessible in the U. S., Canada, or Japan. Additionally, the film is not available for purchase or rental through major streaming services, and the Blu-ray version is reportedly out of print. However, it will be available for streaming on Netflix starting from September 16 and will reach over 190 countries, excluding Japan. This limited availability underlines the ongoing struggle for access to this touching and critically acclaimed work, which remains a significant hallmark of animated film history.
Why Can'T You Watch Grave Of The Fireflies?
Geo-restrictions have limited the availability of "Grave of the Fireflies," making it accessible only on certain streaming platforms in select countries. Travelers may find themselves unable to watch the film as they would at home. Despite the presence of many other Studio Ghibli classics on HBO Max, the absence of "Grave of the Fireflies" stands out, attributed to licensing issues. Directed by Isao Takahata in 1988, the film tells a poignant story of two siblings during wartime, based on Akiyuki Nosaka's acclaimed short story, which won the Naoki literary prize. The distribution rights are complicated, as Ghibli produced the film for the publisher of the original story, limiting their control over its rights.
Currently, the film cannot be found on streaming services like HBO Max, but viewers can rent or purchase it through platforms like iTunes, Amazon Video, and Google Play. It was recently noted that Netflix secured streaming rights for "Grave of the Fireflies," making it available exclusively starting September 16.
For those who feel the heaviness of the film's themes, often described as intense and heartbreaking, it is suggested that it is a movie everyone should watch at least once. While some viewers may not be eager to revisit its somber narrative, the film can also be found in physical formats, such as DVD on Amazon. Ultimately, although current geo-restrictions hinder its accessibility, "Grave of the Fireflies" remains a significant work in the Ghibli catalog, revered for its emotional depth.
Is Grave Of The Fireflies Disney?
Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓, Hotaru no Haka) is a 1988 Japanese animated historical war drama film directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. While Ghibli holds distribution rights in Japan, Toho manages international distribution. The film, which tells the heartbreaking story of two orphaned siblings, Seita and Setsuko, affected by U. S. firebombing during World War II, stands out as a poignant anti-war narrative and a significant milestone in animation.
Set in the port city of Kobe, the film portrays the struggles faced by the children as they navigate the harsh realities of war. With Seita being a teenager and Setsuko just about five, the film offers an uncompromising critique of Japanese society during the war's final months. Despite its animated form, Grave of the Fireflies is characterized by its deep emotional impact and artistic style, including some static backgrounds and smokey visuals, reminiscent of early Disney films.
Although I usually prefer watching Ghibli films dubbed by famous actors, I have been unable to find Grave of the Fireflies on popular streaming platforms like HBO, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video for a planned viewing marathon. Notably, the film reflects Takahata's willingness to confront difficult themes through the lens of childhood innocence. Sometimes considered among Ghibli's most powerful works, the film's opening scene foreshadows the tragic fate of its young protagonists, cementing its place as a landmark in animated cinema.
Why Did Disney Remove Studio Ghibli?
Studio Ghibli's films found wider audiences in North America partially through Disney's distribution, yet Disney never regarded them with the same importance as its own productions or those from Pixar. In the 1990s, Ghibli sought to separate itself from Disney due to concerns over creative control and commercialization. Despite Disney having negotiated distribution rights for American audiences, conflicts arose, including unauthorized edits of films like Kiki's Delivery Service.
As a result, Disney’s relationship with Ghibli has been complicated. Recently, it was announced that Disney would no longer be the distributor for Ghibli films, with rights now passed to GKIDS by 2017. Although Disney initially helped introduce Ghibli movies in North America, they have since lost the distribution rights, diminishing their role further. Ghibli maintained a stance against digital streaming for decades, preferring theatrical releases, even though Disney attempted to secure streaming rights before their partnership ended.
Ghibli films are not available on Disney+, as there is no licensing agreement, while other platforms like Netflix have stepped in to fill that void. This transition signals hope for greater accessibility of Studio Ghibli's beloved films in American theaters. Ultimately, Ghibli remains an independent studio facing financial challenges, partly due to its decision not to renew its contract with Disney, which may stem from differing priorities in productions.
What Disease Did Setsuko Have?
In the film "Grave of the Fireflies," Setsuko's health deteriorates as she suffers from malnutrition amidst the devastation of World War II. Initially depicted with an average physique, her condition worsens significantly, marked by noticeable weight loss and a haggard appearance. When her brother, Seita Yokokawa, takes her to a doctor after her alarming decline, he witnesses the severity of her malnutrition; her ribs are visibly protruding, and her stomach appears severely emaciated with rashes.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Kobe's destruction by American bombers in March 1945. Following the bombing, the siblings lose their mother to injuries, a loss Seita conceals from Setsuko for her sake. They are taken in by a distant aunt, but tensions arise when Seita’s efforts to provide for them become increasingly desperate. As supplies dwindle, Seita cashes in their remaining savings to secure food for his sister, yet it becomes evident that they are in a dire situation.
Despite Seita's attempts to care for her, Setsuko's health declines further, leading to hallucinations and eventual collapse. The doctor confirms her suffering is a direct result of malnutrition and stresses the urgent need for food, which remains tragically unfulfilled. Ultimately, Setsuko succumbs to her ailment, dying of malnutrition, while Seita, deeply affected by her loss, faces a similar fate as he dies from starvation at a train station.
The film poignantly explores themes of survival, familial love, and the harsh realities of war, culminating in the siblings' haunting reunion in the afterlife.
Did Disney Lose The Rights To Studio Ghibli?
In December 2011, Disney sold the North American theatrical rights to Studio Ghibli's catalogue to New York-based distributor GKIDS. GKIDS has since re-released these films multiple times, primarily during Ghibli Film Festivals. Disney's streaming service, Disney Plus, has no indications that Studio Ghibli was ever part of Disney, highlighting a departure from their previous close partnership.
Disney originally acquired the rights to distribute Studio Ghibli films in North America in 1996, allowing them both theatrical and home video releases. This deal surprised many anime fans, as it was seen as a significant step for anime distribution in the West. However, Disney did not fully capitalize on these rights, raising questions about their commitment and ability to promote Ghibli films effectively.
Over the years, the partnership began to change, particularly with Disney's ownership of Miramax Films, which previously distributed many Ghibli titles. The contract permitting Disney to distribute Ghibli films eventually expired in 2017, leaving them without North American distribution rights, while GKIDS took over. Although Disney no longer holds the rights to theatrically release Ghibli films, they still possess DVD rights to some films.
Despite the loss of theatrical rights to 13 Studio Ghibli films, GKIDS continues to celebrate and promote Ghibli's work, indicating a thriving appreciation for these iconic films in the American market. The challenges faced by Ghibli under Disney's distribution, particularly regarding lack of adherence to contractual promises, illustrate the complexities of international film distribution. Ultimately, Studio Ghibli remains cherished in animation, holding an important place in film history despite these turbulent corporate shifts.
Where Can I Watch Grave Of The Fireflies Legally?
The anime film "Grave of the Fireflies," featuring Seita and Setsuko, tells a harrowing story set in post-World War II Japan, highlighting the struggles of two orphans trying to survive amidst the devastating effects of war. Currently, the primary options to watch this film are through legal streaming services like Netflix, where it is available on both standard and ad-supported plans. Additionally, viewers can rent or purchase the film on platforms like Amazon Video, iTunes, and Apple TV.
While legal access is limited, some options for those located outside the U. S. include using a VPN to watch it in regions where it's available, though specific services, like Vudu, no longer carry it. Fans seeking to view the movie might also consider used DVD options, often found for under $20 on Amazon.
It's worth noting that "Grave of the Fireflies" provides a poignant reflection on the human cost of war, embodied in its rich animation and storytelling. Despite challenges in accessing the film for free, JustWatch can help users find where to legally watch movies and series online. However, currently, there are no free legal streaming options. To watch "Grave of the Fireflies," viewers must rely on paid platforms or DVD purchases.
📹 Joel Kills Marlene and Saves Ellie Full Scene – The Last of Us Episode 9 HBO Ending
Joel taking Ellie back from Fireflies, Joel kills Abby’s father and Marlene the Fireflies leader. #TroyBaker #thelastofus #joelmiller.
This scene. This one particular scene is what drew me to this show. The in depth and how the scientist explained how the cordycep worked in that world was truly terrifying. What also made this scene great is how everyones mood went from seeing this theory as a joke to a serious look in their faces of realization.
Mushrooms did wonders in my life. I was severely traumatized years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with cptsd. Spent my whole life fighting cptsd. I also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.
This is a brilliantly done scene. In three minutes he foreshadows the entire cause and premise of the monsters in the show, no long drawn out mystery, no untold story. He’s giving everyone a warning, that we know goes unheeded, and the entire idea is plausible if not completely possible in the real world too. The point where everyone’s face turns serious and nobody else is saying a word you realize everyone in that room is scared to death of the potential.
When I sat down for this show I had some slight concern… but this scene right off the bat put me at ease; “Oh… Oh shit they know what they’re doing here”. Its just so chilling, and more so given that we’ve all recently lived through an epidemic of our own. I’d this had released in April 2020… I think people would be making amateur case studies on the subject. Given how pivotal Covid-19 was, we’ve all moved on from it rather quickly. I would have expected there to be a new wave of lockdown/pandemic related movies out to explore the human condition and how we coped with the world ending, either real or fictional… but no. Maybe the 27 days later sequel. 😅
Fungi have lived for at least 1.2 billion years, plants have only been around 700 million. They survived 4 glacial periods (ice ages) and 11 interglacial (warm) periods, the last of which was 8° warmer than we were at the turn of the 20th century. Today, by comparison, it was only 3.5° warmer in the last interglacial period. Things are heating up and with climate change it’s happening faster than before and will go further than the last one.
2:46 I love that shot right there. The way the two seniors are leaning forward in their seats with blank expressions on their faces….they look zombie-like in that moment. That whole series of quick cuts to the audience members as he talks about the fungi taking control of billions of them, poisoning their minds and bending them to the will of the fungus, ending with that shot of the seniors…masterfully creepy and eerie 👌 Kind of ironic as well that it’s being broadcast on the television. A device that has helped to poison our minds and control our thoughts and behaviour.
The details: 1) the speakers actually give each other attention and space to air their views, no interruptions, no arguing. It really shows this is how public debate once was done, not the childish filibustering of now. 2) John Hanna’s character has clearly already accepted that the horror he’s describing is inevitable. The other scientist’s face shows him arriving at that same conclusion as he speaks, while the host (a layman) may not be convinced but is clearly rattled by the possibility. Phenomenal acting from all three. 3) the multiple views of the audience, showing the scale of the infection to come. All of the people in the room have a possibility of being infected by cordyceps in the future because it doesn’t discriminate by age. The lucky ones will have died before then.
From what I’ve read, cordyceps does not actually alter the ants mind, it activally controls the ants body, with the ant being a prisoner in it’s own body. Now imagine this outbreak, and imagine all those zombies actually still have a person trapped in there, able to see, smell and hear everything, yet unable to stop their body.
Pre-apocalypse scenes are always the best in good zombies movies! Back when this show first aired, too many people took this too literally. Science is incredible, and once you understand stuff, you’ll be able to know why the crazy ideas like an acid that would burn to the center of the earth can’t happen.
Usually I don’t like when movies or shows do scenes totally disconnected from the main narrative, but this was very well done. Although… there are treatments for fungus in humans both internal and topical, so I’m not sure why they would say it’s not possible to make them. Getting athlete’s foot would be a lot more serious if there weren’t.
Josh Brener (the actor playing the host) is extremely good. I see comments referencing Silicon Valley. He is so much more than that. That one episode of Mythic Quest made me a believer. Josh Brener basically plays a younger version of a character played by F. Murray Abraham (an Oscar winner). He does it to perfection and honestly exceeds F. Murray Abraham in some ways. He’s gifted.
60,s 70s and eighties were the best years to be alive in North America. Not for all but for a kid growing up in Ontario, Quebec and finally B.C.?? Life was good. Still is good here in North Alberta but an ill wind is blowing, droughts and uncontrollable wildfire on near horizon. 🔥 Better rope up people.
He didn’t quite explain it correctly, in the amazon The fungus that infects ants, does travel to the ants brain, where it directs the ant to a particular place, right temp, right humidity, right shade and moisture. Once there, the ant is directed to just stand, Where upon the fungus devour it slowly before it reproduce. Real pictures of this can be seen on the Internet. Oh, and the fungus in the amozon covers hundreds of square miles, and appears to live as one entity.
Systemic, chronic fungal infections are not fiction, but very real. I know this, because it because it affects me. I had it since I was a teenager and was treated for all kinds of superficial fungal infections. The treatments worked, do not get me wrong, but the superficial infections would return as soon as the treatment stopped. It took many years for at least me to understand this stuff was growing inside out. The hardest part was to convince a doctor to prescribe a systemic antifungal medication. It worked and healed a lot of symptoms I did not even know were related to the fungal infection. The biggest problem with that is medical doctors having absolutely no clue what is going on.
I used to do some work for The CDC and knew a few epidemiologists and while this whole scene is 100% accurate and is a real possibility, people shouldn’t freak out just yet, it’s still not possible for fungi to live inside humans. The world has gotten warmer since 1968 but for this to happen it’s gonna take a lot more time. But this is such a good scene because it’s real and it’s accurate. There is no way to combat fungal infections inside human beings, they can’t test it or study it cause it just isn’t possible to do yet, and that’s why if it ever happens (not likely for the foreseeable future) it would be a disaster. TLDR: Basically yes it’s possible, but it would take a really really long time for it to evolve that point, meaning.. you and your children and their children have nothing to worry about in this respect.
People who play CDDA know very well the dangers and insidious scheming of the Fungi… we also have a meme in that community, its a normal 4 panel comic with first three panels showing a survivor shooting, burning or outright bombing into a crater a fungal spire and all the fungus infected around it into pieces, only for the fourth panel to show one fragment to immediately regrow after and state the following to the survivor: “You cannot destroy us in any way… that matters”
What he didn’t mention is what if humans internal temperature were to reduce? This is already happening, 98.6 is no longer the average internal temperature of humans, it’s somewhere around 97.5 degrees now. And as he suggested, the world is definitely getting warmer, with both of these acting together how long is it before an infection like this happens? Granted it seems unlikely it would turn people into zombies but an untreatable infection with no possible cure would certainly kills billions of people. What would someone need to do, try to raise their internal temperature somehow? How long would that work until the planet heats up to a temperature humans can survive at?
“What if the world were to get slightly warmer?” This is terrifying because it’s currently happening, thereby making The Last of Us seem slightly more possible, to survive global warming organisms will try to adapt and we as a species helped create our own downfall 😮 Definitely recommend Roanoke Gaming, he does similar thing of breaking down realistic possibilities of sci-fi if it were to exist with us in the real world, this is why I find stories like these fascinating because the sci-fi e genre can be a platform for prophetic warnings of our own hubris consequences to manipulating nature (which later bites us in the ass)
This show is really good…the acting is good…the creature effects are good, the post-apocalyptic atmosphere is good…the music is good. The only thing I can’t get over is how downright depressing it is. Nothing happy ever happens, and whenever the characters have a brief moment of happiness, it usually turns to shit not long after. It’s like with each episode the writers went, “How can we make this episode more depressing than the last?” I legit can only watch one episode at a time because it’s so depressing.
Part of me imagines that if the Fireflies hadn’t flashbanged them, captured them, and gone on to simply TAKE what they needed, this ending might have been avoided. It might have been a conversation where Ellie made her own choice, and Joel may have accepted it. But they were attacked, Joel was disarmed and restrained, Ellie was lied to, and the Fireflies behaved like tyrannical assholes. In a number of ways, Joel was perfectly justified in killing every last one of them.
I can see what they were going for with Joel being almost possessnt with rage and anger to the point were his fight or flight mode kicked in and he choose fight . I like this version but I prefer the games version because in that one Joel sounds devastated and borderline crying when he says the line “you’d just come after her” like he knows what he’s doing is bad but can’t stop because he wants another chance at being a dad so badly that he’ll go to extreme measures to get it.
I know some people agree with Marlene. But my thing is, if it does work, how do you know if Marlene will actually give the cure to everyone else outside the fireflies and not just use it as power and leverage over the other groups like Fedra. She could be like, give me this or make me a queen and I’ll give you some of the cure. I don’t think the cure should be held by one group. I think it should be a major effort by all groups coming together discussing how to make it or how to distribute it. It’s too dangerous to give power to one group like that. Look what happened to Kansas City fedra. Henry was right, you torture and kill people for so long, those same people will torture and kill you right back.
I always found Joel intimidating not because he was some sadistic fuck or because he was a raging massive of muscles, no, he was always scary because he just doesn’t care – there is no pity, no honor, no grieve or glee – killing is just another way of getting the result, and he will do it in the most direct and efficient manner possible.
What makes humanity not worth saving is that the Fireflies didn’t give Ellie or Joel a choice or let them say goodbye; Instead they tried to snatch their lives away with the same brutality as every other threat we’ve encountered along Joel and Ellie’s journey. The irony is that, had they sat Joel and Ellie down and explained the situation, Ellie would’ve elected to sacrifice herself, and she’d have been more than capable of talking Joel into accepting it. But the Fireflies were so devoid of humanity, at that point, that they never even considered it. And so some viewers may conclude that the only thing worth saving were the families already safe at Tommy’s town, to which Ellie and Joel belong.
The plot of The Last Of Us is what turned an emotional game into game of the year. The plot also earned a television show. The plot, in all its glory, boils down to one morally polarizing question. And that question is different for each and all of us. Because only we, ourselves, have our version of “Elle” in our lives. We all have that one person who might be more important to us than everybody else on the planet. If you’re lost in the dark, look for the light.
Such a poetic ending! Before begging her friend Marlene to kill her; Anna, the birth mother of Ellie instructed Marlene with her own life that her best friend will take good care of her baby girl without any harm or a single scratch. And now, Marlene broke her promise, instead of protecting her. She listened to the doctor that Ellie should be dissected to get a sample from her brain to develop a cure! How would Anna feel if she knew the person she friended with all her life, betrayed her. Justice is served when a complete unknown protector named Joel to Anna, killed Marlene for trying to kill Ellie! What a masterful writing to end a series! Vengeance comes in full circle!⭕️
I finally just watched this series. it’s a bomb! the relational evolution between joel and ellie is finely done. the mutual attachment that is built between them is reinforced with each ordeal they encounter. very endearing characters. I do not know the article game but I became addicted to this series.
I just love the fact that neil druckmann got the the last of us o.g’s from the game to appear in the show from Merle Dandridge her in this scene, to Troy Baker as David’s henchmen james, to the talented Ashley Johnson as ellie’s mother. Kudos to neil druckmann for putting that reunion together 👏👏👏👏👏👏
One thing that’s never specified on (and I actually love this detail in both iterations of the first games story, and hate about the second game because Joel later does admit to Ellie he would’ve changed his decision if he could) but I love how it’s never explained HOW the fireflies would actually cure or create a vaccine for the infected. And even if they did get the cure from Ellie’s brain, who would they have given it to? Because we can guarantee it wouldn’t be anyone who worked for fedra whether those are other humans or not, the fireflies are still in a war and like what we saw in Kansas City I’m sure the fireflies would’ve been similarly brutal. And who’s to say they would’ve been able to mass produce it 20 years into the apocalypse? When you consider the situation from that perspective Joel’s decision making here is very sound, he absolutely SAVED Ellie’s life from a bunch of people grasping at an idea that they couldn’t have ever brought to reality.
I haven’t seen the show, but I’ve played the game a bunch. I must say that they did a great job. I like how Joel elaborated more on the lie. It makes sense that Ellie would ask why she was drugged and where her clothes are. My only complaint is that they showed Ellie in the car too soon. In the game, it’s focused on Joel for a bit to make you think “Did….. Did Marlene convince her? Is she….. OH! No, there she is.” But that’s nitpicky. They did damn good.
10 years after the game and the show has helped reignite the debate as to whether Joel did the right thing or not. I believe he did what he believed was right for him and Ellie. Even if Ellie would’ve consented to the surgery that would’ve killed her, the chance at a vaccine or a cure would’ve been a gamble. Ellie is immune and yet the Infected still want to kill her so what would a vaccine help accomplish? Not only that, after every threat Joel and Ellie had encountered, a vaccine wouldn’t have fixed the world they’re in now. Joel did what he had to do
What most people don’t know is that in the game, there is a record Marlene has that shows there were at least 20 other kids immune like Ellie that they ran tests on and nothing came of it. The other kids died, and they still hadn’t found a cure. So with that knowledge, this was the right choice. In an apocalyptic world like this, life is SO much more precious. And joel knows this and that is why he isnt willing to destroy another little girls life, on the .1% chance this cure my work.
Joel was a soldier. Soldiers kill the enemy, but when the enemy is unrelenting, you cannot take prisoners. I do not think Joel is as ruthless as people are making him out to be. He was doing what he needed to do to survive. That is what a soldier does. Protecting his “unit” (AKA Ellie) was the goal here. The fireflies had ill intent from the start, they did it to themselves. He showed mercy to the non combatants, he showed none to those actively attacking him. Everyone is making him out to be a bad person, and that might have some credibility to it. In this case, he is not a bad guy here, he is taking out the bad guys.
There’s different sides to this. Joel was sorta selfish for this as he chose to spare one life over so many potential others, due to the connection and feeling of a new daughter he made with Ellie. He also lied to Ellie which isn’t fair bc what if Ellie wanted to go through with it? However, marlene and the fire flies also lied in the fact that they did not tell Ellie what she was getting into and that the surgery would kill her, which also isn’t fair to Ellie. Also who knows if fire flies would only use it for themselves plus who knows if the cure would work in general. I think Ellie and Joel should go back to Tommy’s civilization and stay there
Think about something new every time I watch this scene. Marlene made a huge tactical error in confronting Joel. She knows him, knows how he makes decisions. And even though he’s not using Ellie as a shield, she’s still a shield. If Marlene believes she’s the key to a cure, she’s not taking that shot. I’m guessing a few others survived. Live to fight another day…she’s got to find a new doctor anyways.
I hope they fix the one glaring error from part 2 here. Tell Ellie that the Doctor Abby’s father never had a clue what he was doing. That all the previous attempts failed. That they merely wanted to dissect Ellie for the ‘chance’ that this time they could make something usable. That Abby would absolutely feel conflicted about that and what her father did was inhuman. That there are always 2 sides of a story. They intended to tell that story but f’d up and it came across like ‘Ellie is wrong, Abby is right’ which it never should have felt like. Because the whole point was both girls finding out the people they were fighting weren’t unjustified monsters. That revenge never was the answer to any of this…
If I had a nickel for every time Pedro Pascal played the role of an emotionless criminal who took a job to deliver a child to a group, was annoyed by them at first, then grew attached and killed the people he was sent to deliver the baby to I’d have two nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s strange that it happened twice
I hate how they don’t even make the case for Joel’s side pragmatically. There’s no chance the fireflies could mass produce whatever they create, or ship it everywhere. They can cure the infected, they’d get torn apart if they tried. You can make people immune, but that won’t stop the infected from just killing them outright, or from different factions and raiders killing each other. Sacrificing Ellie wouldn’t have saved the world, it probably wouldn’t even have mattered very much on a large scale. It’s just murdering a little girl for nothing
Glad to see Marlene die again on the big screen. I know that sounds morbid, but I despise the mental gymnastics she tried to use to convince Joel to let her go. “HoW lOng TilL sHe DiEs BeCauSe-” yeah with that logic, I should kill my dog if a natural disaster occurs because the pet store got damaged and I don’t have immediate access to dog food. Also aint no way the cure would work. The Fireflies would definitely monopolize it for their personal gain againt FEDRA and any other organized groups composed of hundreds, possibly thousands of survivors. Their asses arent on a “save the world” mission, they’d just be FEDRA 2.0. Society would also not immedieatly return, so far into the apocalypse, the only remaining active groups are those that thrive in such a scenario. Very unlikely that thriving survivors would be willing to return to working a 9-5 job making minimum wage and getting half their paycheck taxed for no reason.
This was done sm better, he practically admitted to it, and apologized this was done so much better than the games and will heavily effect the conflict between joel and ellie in season 2 better than the games by the looks of it, definitely seems season 2 will have alot of retcon from the ge aswell which in that games case good, it was 2 fast paced and we barely got to see ellie in seatle those 3 days go by fast in game, excited to see what’s next for the show.
Sorry long rant incoming: This whole situation did not make sense to me anyway, its certainly dramatic, emotional and well played by the actors, but senseless when you think about it for a second: 1. If you’re so sure Ellie would approve, then why not ask her, prior to drugging her and putting her on the table? Was it a lie Marlene? False confidence? 2. Joel is obviously a dangerous and experienced fighter/survivor. Why go out of your way, in an already tense and emotional situation, to be d*cks towards him, poke him and make it worse? 3. Why break your word? You promised him compensation, where is it? Sure it would probadly feel like blood money and Joel wouldn’t take it, but a deal is a deal. Compensation was promised and should at least be offered. If word gets out that the FF’s don’t stick to their word, your just asking for further trouble 3. Why jump immidietly to “lets cut her brain”? Take samples first, run tests, rule out other possibilities… She’s the only immune person you’re aware of, too valuable to be recklessly killed on the operation table. There is no back up. If something goes wrong, anything at all… There goes your chance for a “cure” 4. Is it even possible? Its a fungus, not a virus or bacteria. What would a “cure” even look like? An internal fungicide or something? 5. Lets assume you get the cure by scooping Ellie’s brain like an ice cream vendor… How do you plan to produce it? Where are the labs, the personal and industrie necessary? 6. How do you plan to distribute it?
It’s important to remember that while Marlene is suggesting they ask Ellie, she still wouldn’t take no for an answer. It’s a bluff, nothing more. Smoke and mirrors, just trying to engineer a situation where Joel might change his mind and leave Ellie behind. Or buy some time for some leftover Firefly soldiers to make it down to the garage and pincer him. Ellie’s brain IS still getting cut out, no matter what she wants (regardless of whether she probably would agree in her current state of mind). She’s a piece of meat to Marlene, nothing more. And she probably wishes she’d stashed Ellie away somewhere in Boston that fateful day instead of sending her off with a grieving father. That way she could have ferried her to her grisly enforced doom without anybody building any attachments with her.
If anyone is curious about if the Fireflies actually had done the procedure and development of a cure would have it been possible ? watch MattPat’s article on Ellie’s immunity, also, according too Google – There’s a very real chance that Ellie isn’t the only immune person in the world. She just happens to be the only person to know it. It’s also likely that only people under 20 could be immune because they had to have been born after the outbreak.
“She lives in a broken world that you could have saved.” I’m sorry, what part of this story even suggests that that is even possible? Even if they could harvest a cure from Ellie, which they couldn’t, the world has spent 20 years in hell. Its not that the world isnt worth saving. Its that it’s impossible to go back to the way it was before. Its a band aid over a broken bone.
I agree with most of you guys in saying the Fireflies are devoid of any humanity in tis situation, including Marlene. If anything, she had more desperation than good goals driving her. And even if it was harvested from Ellie, who would have said there would have been enough or equipment necessary to make it. It would have all been pointless. If anything, Ellie’s situation could include that there might be more like her. And if there aren’t… there will be eventually.
I see it as him being realistic. He has no idea if they took her and cut her up that they would 100% find a cure. So he is ‘lying’ to her but also being logical because if she is immune others most likely are as well. They live in a shattered world so there are no guarantees so he is speaking the truth to her while lying. I’d of let her live too.
The fireflies didn’t give Joe and Ellie a choice I’m sure Ellie would have chosen to die possibly make a cure BUT she was never given that option she was treated like meat to feed a village, Joe saw this and proceeded to be a vicious bastard like all the people in there he killed them like animals with no fucks given bc that’s the option they (fireflies) gave him, I would have done the same thing, the way she was crawling begging him to let her go was awesome it showed that she was fucking scared and at that moment at that very last second I genuinely think she was actually willing to let her go for her own life but the future is unclear as soon as she heals and gets better months, years, decades later her mental state wouldn’t let her live with it and she would have 100% come after her
the whole cure idea is flawed. anyone whose infected already will have there bodys eaten from the inside and without the fungus would die anyway. The only thing they could get out of ellie is a way to prevent more from being infected but it wouldnt stop them from attacking seeing as they still go for ellie. So what benefit would you actually get out of killing her.
The thing that always bothered me about this is they play the entire scene as if Joel was making a decision that doomed everyone. Thing is the Firefly’s are 1) working with old equipment that probably hasn’t been properly maintained and just crossing their fingers it all still worked right. 2) they are a bunch of terrorist who are probably not good enough at biochemistry to actually create a cure from a single one shot test subject. This would be damn near impossible with a up-to-date lab in ideal conditions staffed by a large team of competent specialists, much less the decayed slum they were using and the hazbins they probably had on hand, especially against a fungus which are notoriously hard to deal with. 3) even if they do they ain’t giving it away for free, they’ll just use it as a barging chip to get what they want. Frankly when I came to this part in the game I actually scoffed at their entire spiel about saving humanity. My first thought was “yeah, right you fuckers aren’t competent enough to pull this off. Joel please don’t believe the garbage coming out of their mouths and kill them all.” And he did. And I was happy.
Its not like he or Ellie were asked for the sacrifice. It would not have been a sacrifice at all, not for the strangers killing a stranger to safe themselves, not for the killed, dying for strangers All of them deserved to die because they had become the selfish life eating “survival no matter the costs” organism they so desperately tried to find a cure for.
All of yall trying to argue the Fireflies or bad or that a vaccine isnt possible truly misunderstand Joel’s choice here & why he saves Ellie. He saves Ellie because he loves her as a daughter. The facts & politics & world dont matter in that moment. What matters is his kid is gonna have to die to save the world. The choice was obvious from the start of the game/show when his first daughter Sarah was killed.
idc the way joel kills marlene is worse to me than anything else because it feels like joel is actively almost in denial trying to justify his actions to himself, he just killed all the fireflies and the only surgeon that could develop the vaccine (according to pt II) so why would she go after ellie, maybe joel, but why would she ever come after ellie like that; she seems to care about her, was close friends with her mother, and there’s no way she could possibly hope to develop a vaccine after dr. anderson’s death so literally what about going after ellie would benefit her
To all the people who are saying that Joel is a selfish prick because by refusing to give up Ellie, he damned all of humanity to die. Then what exactly is the ethical choice here?. This Utilitarianism of trying to prioritize the greatest good for the greatest number isn’t in my opinion what’s moral. Because can I ask you, if 4 of your family members were dying of organ failure, and they only have a couple of minutes left before its too late, and since you only have a small amount of time left, would it be ethical for you to go out and kidnap and murder someone out in the streets, and harvest their organs to save your family?, I mean you’re saving 4 people at the cost of 1 life.
My god, I just gotta say this: our school systems have completely and utterly f$&ed this generation/previous generation. I’m reading through these comments, and the amount of incorrect grammar, punctuation, and spelling is mind blowing. It used to be an accidental autocorrect from whatever device one was using and would be easy to overlook. But it’s only gotten worse as people will type out an entire paragraph without any punctuation, making it impossible to understand whatever idiotic take they have on said subject. What fresh Walter white hell is this? 😂😂😂 Make the English language understandable again.
I never played the article game so I don’t know why Joe couldn’t just be upfront with Ellie like “hey they were going to extract The cure from your brain and kill you so I stopped them. If you want to go back and let them do it for the sake of the human race then that’s your choice but I just want to give you a heads up to make that choice on your own. Why did he feel he had to lie to her?
Ellie believed that doing this would have brought meaning to her life, but it wouldn’t have. You give meaning to your life by what you live for not what you die for. If you live only for the end then did you truly live at all? Choosing this would only bring meaning to her death, in the face of this choice her life would be of no consequence. Who else but her loved ones would mourn her life. Would the people really care about her life when it was her death that brought them salvation? Would children grow up knowing who she loved or who she hated, what she enjoyed or what she dreaded. And that’s if sacrificing her would have done anything, because the the truth is that the fireflies were grasping at straws. And if they failed then she’s just another dead girl that others sacrificed in a desperate bid to save themselves. The fireflies couldn’t accept that perhaps this is it, just like the dinosaurs and the asteroid that blasted them into oblivion, this is our extinction event and nothing we do will ever change our fate in the face of Nature. And sometimes no matter how hard you try or how long you struggle, you can’t drink from a broken cup.
Loved the way Pedro potrayed Joel. But just wanted to add on to the comments. Agree or disagree. See this isnt a black or white decision. True they could have gone on about it the right way. Marlene should have discussed with them and maybe things would have worked . But the thing is Joel would have never agreed to that. Sacrificing Ellie for the world to get a chance. Being pessimistic and not to mention the loss of one daughter, he would have never agreed to it. Would I, in joel’s place do the same? I dont know. Also but does that eliminate it from being a bad decision? Definitely not. Of course not. They hadnt seen a case like hers before. It is established multiple times. Would it have worked .. Maybe maybe not. But this was the ONE chance to fix whatever you could. Sure it wouldnt have all rolled out smoothly if vaccine was invented.. But it still would have mattered. a vaccine for something that has ravaged the earth 20 years non stop. Definitely it would have saved some atleast. Also considering what she has been through, can you imagine the trauma she has. to think that she alone could survive what others couldnt and has to live with the fact that the one chance they had, no matter how impossible it may seem, is gone! but i think thats the beauty of the game you know, the fact that there are grey areas in such decisions. and that no one can truly know. it explores it in such depth
Listen, I respect him and she is an amazing person. But if I was Marlene i would have killed him right away and especially not tell him the truth. There is thousand of amazing people like her that her death could have saved… Just like her friend in the mall. :/ One once said; do not lose a thousand lives just to save one… Here is far more than thousands of lives. She could have save an entire species.