Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight in The Office, recently took to Twitter to criticize the eighth episode of the hit TV series The Last of Us.
In his tweet, Wilson accused Hollywood of perpetuating anti-Christian prejudice, stating that as soon as the villainous character David started reading the Bible, he knew the character would be portrayed negatively. Wilson’s criticism sparked a discussion about how religious characters are portrayed in popular media.
Rainn Wilson Calls Out ‘Anti-Christian Bias’ in The Last of Us
The Last of Us, a TV series based on the popular video game, has garnered critical acclaim and a considerable following since its release. However, some viewers, including Wilson, have criticized the portrayal of religious characters in the series. According to Wilson, Hollywood’s bias against Christianity is evident in how the nature of David is depicted.
I do think there is an anti-Christian bias in Hollywood. As soon as the David character in “The Last of Us”
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) March 11, 2023
started reading from the Bible I knew that he was going to be a horrific villain. Could there be a Bible-reading preacher on a show who is actually loving and kind?
While some viewers have criticized the low presence of infected characters in the show, the creators of The Last of Us, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, defended their choices in a recent press conference. Mazin explained that the show’s emphasis on relationships and moments of action necessitated a careful balance between the two. Druckmann added that the team wanted to ensure that action scenes were purposeful and advanced the story rather than being included simply for show.
Overall, The Last of Us has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. While some viewers have expressed concern over portraying religious characters, the show’s creators have defended their choices, emphasizing the importance of balancing action with character development and story advancement. As the show moves into its second season, it will be interesting to see how the creators continue navigating the complex world of post-apocalyptic survival and interpersonal relationships.
