Look, if you’re here, you probably just watched that scene. Or maybe you’ve heard the rumors and you’re desperately hoping they aren't true. It’s the question that defined the discourse around Naughty Dog’s sequel for years: does Joel come back in The Last of Us?
The short answer is complicated. The long answer is heartbreaking.
I remember the first time I played through the opening hours of The Last of Us Part II. The air in the room felt different. You’ve spent dozens of hours as Joel Miller in the first game. You watched him go from a grieving father to a hardened survivor, and finally, to a man who would burn the world down just to keep one girl safe. Then, within the first hour of the sequel, everything changes.
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The Brutal Reality of Joel’s Fate
Let’s be direct. Joel Miller is killed by Abby Anderson very early in the game. It isn't a "fake out." There is no magical recovery, no secret twin, and no plot armor that saves him at the last second. He’s gone.
Abby’s motivation is simple, even if it’s hard to swallow. Her father was the surgeon Joel killed at the end of the first game—the man who was supposed to operate on Ellie to find a cure. For Abby, this wasn't a senseless act of violence. It was justice. For us? It felt like a betrayal of the character we loved.
But here is where the "coming back" part gets interesting.
Even though Joel dies, he is the heartbeat of the entire second game. He "comes back" constantly, just not in the way fans of a traditional action hero might expect. He exists in the space between the notes. He is the ghost that haunts Ellie’s every decision.
How Joel Returns Through Flashbacks
Naughty Dog didn't just kill him and move on. They knew we needed more. Throughout the journey, the game utilizes a series of playable and non-playable flashbacks that serve as a chronological bridge between the two games.
Honestly, these are some of the best moments in the entire franchise.
- The Museum Trip: This is arguably the most emotional sequence in the game. Joel takes Ellie to an abandoned science museum for her birthday. You get to see him being a dad. You watch him put a space helmet on her head while she imagines launching into orbit. It’s a glimpse of the life they could have had if the world wasn't broken.
- The Finding Strings Sequence: We see Joel and Ellie out on a patrol, dealing with a bloater. It’s classic The Last of Us gameplay, but the tension is different. You can feel the growing rift between them as Ellie starts to suspect the truth about what happened in Salt Lake City.
- The Final Confrontation at the Hospital: We eventually see the moment the relationship shattered. Ellie returns to the St. Mary's Hospital and learns that Joel lied to her. The "return" of Joel here is painful. He isn't the hero; he’s a man facing the consequences of a choice he’d make a thousand times again.
Why the Question of Joel Returning Matters
People keep asking if he comes back because his absence creates a massive vacuum. When you play as Ellie in Seattle, you’re looking for him in everyone you meet. You’re looking for his approval, his strength, and eventually, his forgiveness.
There were so many theories before the game launched. Remember the trailers? Sony and Naughty Dog actually edited footage to make it look like Joel was present in scenes where he actually wasn't. In one specific trailer, they replaced Jesse (a side character) with an older-looking Joel to trick the audience into thinking he was part of the main journey.
That deception fueled the fire. It made the actual "death" feel even more like a sucker punch.
The Last Conversation
The most significant way Joel comes back is in the very last scene of the game. After hours of brutal combat and a final, miserable fight on a beach in Santa Barbara, we see the conversation they had the night before he died.
Ellie tells him she doesn't think she can ever forgive him for taking away her chance to make her life mean something (by being the cure). Then she says the line that defines the whole series: "But I'd like to try."
That's the real return.
It’s not a physical resurrection. It’s the restoration of his humanity in Ellie’s eyes. He comes back as a father figure who was flawed and selfish, but who loved her more than anything else.
Is He in The Last of Us Part 3?
Since we're talking about whether he comes back, we have to look toward the future. Neil Druckmann has confirmed that a "third chapter" to this story exists in some form.
Will Joel be in it?
Almost certainly. But don't expect a prequel. The Last of Us doesn't do "force ghosts" or supernatural returns. If Joel appears in a third game, it will be in the same way he appeared in the second—through the lens of memory.
He is the foundation of Ellie’s character. You can’t tell her story without him. Whether it’s through more flashbacks or simply through the way Ellie treats other people (like JJ, Dina’s son), Joel’s presence is permanent.
Dealing With the Grief of a Fictional Character
It sounds silly to some, but the "death" of Joel caused real emotional distress for a lot of players. If you're struggling with the fact that he doesn't "come back" in a traditional way, you aren't alone. The game is designed to make you feel that loss. It wants you to be as angry as Ellie is.
The brilliance of the writing is that by the end, the game asks you to let go of that anger. Just like Ellie has to.
Understanding the "Ghost" Mechanics
If you're playing the game right now and hoping for a secret ending where he survives—stop. It doesn't exist. There are no branching paths in The Last of Us Part II that lead to Joel living.
Instead, pay attention to the small details.
- Look at Ellie’s journal. She draws him constantly.
- Listen to the songs she plays on the guitar. He taught her those chords.
- Notice her jacket. It’s a direct callback to his style.
He is everywhere.
What to Do Next
If you've finished the game and you're feeling that Joel-shaped hole in your heart, there are a few ways to get more of the character without relying on fan theories.
First, go back and play the "No Return" mode in the The Last of Us Part II Remastered. This is a roguelike survival mode where Joel is a fully playable character. It doesn't add to the story, but it lets you inhabit his boots again. He's a powerhouse in this mode—unable to dodge like Ellie, but capable of taking hits and dealing massive melee damage. It’s a reminder of why he was so feared in the first place.
Second, watch the HBO series. While the first season covers the first game, the second season (slated for 2025/2026) will deal with these events. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel adds layers to the character that might make the inevitable "return" in flashback form even more poignant.
Lastly, pay attention to the "No Return" character unlocks. Playing as Tommy or Joel in these combat encounters provides a bit of that "classic" feeling that many players felt was missing from the sequel's somber tone. It isn't a narrative return, but it is a mechanical one that honors the character's legacy.
Joel Miller is dead. But in the world of The Last of Us, nobody ever truly leaves as long as there is someone left to carry the guitar.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Play the Remaster: Use the "No Return" mode to play as Joel in high-stakes combat scenarios.
- Explore Flashbacks: Re-watch or replay the "Birthday Gift" chapter to see the peak of the Joel/Ellie relationship.
- Journal Check: Read every entry in Ellie’s journal during the Seattle days to see her private thoughts about Joel that aren't spoken aloud.
- Track the Guitar: Notice how Ellie's ability to play the guitar changes throughout the game, symbolizing her connection to Joel's memory.