The Last of Us' Cordyceps infection is broken down by a real fungi expert. The video game-based HBO show takes apocalyptic fiction to new heights by depicting an infection caused by the fungus referred to as cordyceps, which brings down civilization in staggering fashion. The first scene of the series presents a panel of scientists in the 1960s discussing the possibility of such an infection, offering an air of realism to the show's terrifying premise.

Now, mycologist Paul Stamets has taken to Twitter to give his take on the harrowing Cordyceps infection presented in the HBO series.


In a ten-part thread, Stamets praises the series' use of fungi as a powerful foe, saying "I applaud the writers for seeing this opportunity to take us on a literary adventure into the realm of sci-fi while exploiting the public’s fascination, fear, and joy of fungi." The mycologist also defended the enigmatic organisms, stating "In reality, Fungi offer us today some of the best solutions that are needed for solving many of the existential threats that we face," while finishing the thread with the somewhat chilling observation that "Fungi will never be defeated. Our survival depends on a peace treaty with Fungi." Stamets' takeaway is that, while The Last of Us' use of fungi was well done, the infection presented in the series is not realistic and will never pose a threat to humanity.

Why The Cordyceps Infection In The Last Of Us Is So Scary


The Last of Us' Cordyceps infection leads the fungi to take over human bodies and control them, creating an army of infected subjects as it spreads from person to person. Of course, the idea of losing control of one's body is always terrifying, but it grows more frightening in the show thanks to the appearance and behavior of the infected, which eventually progress into clickers. Their aggressive and erratic movements, ability to tap into a hive mind due to the tendrils layered across the ground and the use of echolocation amps up the horror factor with a scientific basis to back it, despite the unlikelihood of such an event actually occurring.

How Clickers Are Different From Zombies


Though The Last of Us has drawn many comparisons to popular zombie media, the series presents an entirely different beast from the walking corpses that populate plenty of other sci-fi epics. There are a few similarities - zombies are also often presented as the result of a worldwide infection, as in The Walking Dead. Additionally, zombies are often extremely difficult to kill unless a headshot is utilized, and they attack and often feast on humans.

However, The Last of Us makes it clear from the first scene that, because of the medicinal qualities of fungi, the host of the organism is unable to decay as its body is taken over, unlike a zombie. While zombies are often depicted as rotting, slow creatures, infected and clickers are speedy, agile, and able to communicate with one another, and they are even able to evolve into formidable bloaters, making them even more dangerous than the classic sci-fi foe they resemble. Luckily, Stamets has indicated that The Last of Us' gruesome infection is not something that viewers need to worry about in real life, despite the grounded feel of the series.