Ellie (Last of Us) vs Mary Magdalene: Ideas, Methods, and Legacies Compared

What connects a post-apocalyptic teenager fighting for survival and a first-century woman who became a symbol of redemption? Ellie Williams and Mary Magdalene occupy opposite ends of history, yet their legacies reveal surprising overlaps in how humanity interprets resilience, transformation, and influence.

How did their moral compasses differ?

Ellie’s morality is forged in a world without systems of justice. She kills to protect those she loves, notably committing atrocities in The Last of Us Part II to avenge Joel’s death. Her actions prioritize personal bonds over abstract notions of goodness. Mary Magdalene, by contrast, represents a spiritual rebirth—described in the Gospels as having been healed of seven demons before dedicating her life to following Jesus. Her moral compass points toward divine service rather than self-preservation, though early Christian traditions often conflated her with unrelated biblical figures, complicating her true ethical framework.

What methods did they use to shape their worlds?

Ellie reshapes her world through brute force and loyalty. Her survival depends on wielding weapons, manipulating survivors, and navigating crumbling cities. Mary Magdalene’s power lies in visibility: she witnesses the crucifixion and resurrection, becoming the “apostle to the apostles” by delivering the central tenet of Christian faith to Jesus’ male disciples. Where Ellie’s methods are visceral and immediate, Mary’s legacy hinges on being believed—a radical act for a woman in an era dismissing female testimony.

How do their legacies reflect their eras?

Ellie embodies a modern myth of the antihero—a child forced into violence, yet celebrated for her complexity. Her legacy debates whether trauma justifies ruthlessness. Mary Magdalene’s legacy, meanwhile, got rewritten by centuries of patriarchal theology. Early church leaders labeled her a repentant prostitute (a conflation modern scholars reject), reflecting how female discipleship was diminished in favor of male authority. Both women became mirrors for their cultures’ anxieties about power and vulnerability.

Did either advocate for systems of belief?

Ellie rejects grand narratives. In Part I, she dismisses Joel’s lies about the Fireflies, then spends Part II dismantling the myth of vengeance. Her worldview is pragmatic: human connections matter more than causes. Mary Magdalene became a cornerstone of Christian belief, despite never preaching or writing texts herself. Her role as resurrection witness anchors the faith’s core promise of redemption—a system Ellie would likely view as naive, given her lived experience of loss.

What lessons endure from their contrasting lives?

Ellie teaches the cost of attachment in a world stripped of meaning. Her rage and love feel familiar to a generation skeptical of institutions. Mary Magdalene offers a counterpoint: her quiet persistence in spreading a message she couldn’t claim credit for models how faith can outlive oppression. Neither “wins” their battles—Ellie remains trapped in cycles of violence, while Mary’s voice was diluted by tradition—but both redefine strength as the courage to act within their constraints.

To explore these themes further, you can talk to The Last of Us’s Ellie or Mary Magdalene on HoloDream, where their conversations reveal how different eras shape what it means to endure.