What Does Curtis & Viper Mean on The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us Season 2 recently took a terrifying turn with the tragic death of Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal. While fans are hooked on the new season’s storyline, one recurring reference has left them intrigued — Curtis & Viper. So, what does Curtis & Viper mean in The Last of Us Season 2?

Here is everything you need to know about this exciting reference in the science fiction series.

Here’s what Ellie’s Curtis and Viper reference means in The Last of Us Season 2

Curtis and Viper is a fictional 1980s action movie in The Last of Us video games and the HBO series.

In the game, the reference first appears in Part II, when Ellie tells Dina during an Alpine patrol that she plans to watch the film with Joel as a peace offering. She describes the plot:

“OK, so two former commandos that go rogue to fight bad guys. And I think in this one they go up against Russian spies or something.” She adds: “Alright, so the young one, Viper, he’s a trained ninja — and he’s a complete badass.”

The show mirrors this reference. In Season 1, Episode 1, Joel’s daughter Sarah borrows the DVD of Curtis and Viper 2 from their neighbors, the Adlers. That night, she and Joel settle in to watch the movie, but the outbreak interrupts them as the Cordyceps pandemic begins.

The reference reappears in Season 2. In the premiere episode, Dina tells Ellie she looks like someone from Curtis and Viper in her gear and suggests watching the movie together. Jesse later repeats the reference while briefing them for patrol. In Episode 3, Dina and Ellie mention the film again during their journey to find Abby.

As they near Seattle, Dina notes the lack of W.L.F. members (also known as wolves). Ellie replies, “There’s about to be a whole lot less.” Dina assumes Ellie is quoting the movie again, but Ellie clarifies she was “just trying to sound like a badass.”

The Last of Us Season 2 airs on HBO Max.