'The Last of Us' Ends Tonight: When to Watch the Season 2 Finale

• 'The Last of Us' Ends Tonight: When to Watch the Season 2 Finale
• When you can watch The Last of Us season 2

It's hard to believe that season 2 of The Last of Us is coming to an end. The video game adaptation has delivered one heart-pounding moment after another, proving there's still a place for post-apocalyptic programs on television.

The Last of Us returned with a five-year time jump and checked back in to see if the relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) has weathered the proverbial storm. Let's just say things got complicated. A lot can happen in half a decade, but curing the Cordyceps virus isn't one of them. The infection has only spread further and evolved in terrifying ways, making America's landscape even deadlier.

This season of The Last of Us doesn't re-create the original video game subject matter beat by beat. Writer, director and executive producer Neil Druckmann discussed the reasons for this creative choice during a virtual press conference for the series, which CNET attended. 

Empathy is the first reason. Building an emotional connection with certain characters and their storylines required altering the narrative structure to create stakes for the audience. That connection comes more naturally when you're stepping into a character's shoes while playing the game.

Timing is the other reason. "If we were to stick to a very similar timeline, viewers would have to wait a very, very long time to get that context," Druckmann said. Context is key and by all accounts, this strategy is working; season 1 broke viewership ratings and, just days before the season 2 premiere, HBO renewed The Last of Us for a third season.

Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Catherine O'Hara and Rutina Wesley also star in the series. Read on to learn when to stream the finale for The Last of Us season 2.

Read more: Max Streaming Service Review: Loads of Content, but You Have to Make It Fit You

Bella Ramsey plays Ellie in the season 2 finale of The Last of Us on HBO and Max.

Liane Hentscher/HBO

When you can watch The Last of Us season 2

The seventh and final episode of The Last of Us season 2 will air Sunday, May 25, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. 

James Martin/CNET

You'll need a Max subscription to stay engaged in all the action of The Last of Us. The streamer offers two plans: the ad-supported tier for $10 a month and the ad-free tier for $17 a month. To upgrade to 4K picture quality, you can go with the Ultimate plan, an elite option for $21 monthly.

Additionally, a megabundle that includes Hulu, Disney+, and Max is available. The ad-supported version costs $17 per month, while the ad-free version costs $30 per month.