Is Riley Ellie's Girlfriend? Unpacking Their Deep Connection In The Last Of Us

Zander West 29 Jul 2025

Many people wonder about the bond between Ellie and Riley, especially after watching or playing The Last of Us. Their connection, you know, it's a very central part of Ellie's story, really. It shapes so much of who she becomes, and it's a moment that stays with players and viewers alike. So, it's quite natural to ask just how deep that relationship truly goes.

This particular storyline, in a way, stands out as one of the most memorable parts of the entire series. It shows us a side of Ellie that's both vulnerable and incredibly strong, a side we don't always get to see. Their time together, though brief, leaves a lasting mark on Ellie, and on us, as a matter of fact.

We're going to explore the details of their time together, looking at what the show and the game tell us about their feelings. It's about understanding the nature of their bond, and how it influenced Ellie's path later on, like with Dina, for example. So, let's get into it, shall we?

Ellie and Riley: A Closer Look
- Who Are Ellie and Riley?
- Their First Encounter
The Deepening Connection
- A Night Out and a Kiss
- The Impact of Their Bond
Ellie's Sexuality and Future Relationships
- Riley as First Love
- Dina and Ellie's Later Life
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellie and Riley

Ellie and Riley: A Closer Look

When we talk about Ellie and Riley, we're really talking about a pivotal part of The Last of Us narrative. Their story, you know, it's often seen as a turning point for Ellie, shaping much of her personality and her journey. It's a relationship that, frankly, resonates with many people.

Who Are Ellie and Riley?

Ellie Williams is, of course, a central figure in The Last of Us. She's the younger character, the one immune to the fungal infection that has devastated the world. Riley Abel, on the other hand, is Ellie's very close friend, and as it turns out, her first love. She's played by Storm Reid in the show, which, you know, brought a lot of attention to her debut.

Here's a little bit about them, based on what we know:

Character	Role in Story	Key Relationship	Defining Moments
Ellie Williams	Immune survivor, main character	Riley Abel (first love), Joel Miller (guardian), Dina (later partner)	Surviving the bite, journey with Joel, mall experience with Riley, finding Dina.
Riley Abel	Ellie's best friend and first love	Ellie Williams	Disappearing for days, reuniting at the mall, the kiss, the bite.

Riley, as a matter of fact, had disappeared for some days before showing up again to surprise Ellie. This reunion, set just a few weeks before Ellie starts her big journey with Joel, is pretty significant. It's almost like a last moment of normal life for Ellie, you know, before everything changes.

Their First Encounter

Ellie and Riley first crossed paths during Ellie's time in the quarantine zone. This was, apparently, a pretty rough period for Ellie as a newcomer. She was, in fact, being picked on by bullies, which is a tough situation for anyone, you know?

It was Riley who stepped in to help. She actually stopped the bullies by fighting them off. This act of kindness, this defense, really, forged a bond between them. After that, they started to develop a much closer friendship, which, you know, is pretty much how many strong connections begin.

The Deepening Connection

The relationship between Ellie and Riley, frankly, develops quite naturally from that initial friendship. It starts with a bit of friction, too, as Riley apparently stole Ellie's walkman and even called her a 'kid.' But over time, their bond just grew, and their feelings for each other started to change, becoming something more, you know.

The game's creative director, Neil Druckmann, confirmed that they did, in fact, develop romantic feelings. This isn't just fan speculation, so it's a pretty clear statement about their connection. It's a really important detail for understanding their story, actually.

A Night Out and a Kiss

One of the most defining moments for Ellie and Riley happens during a night out at a mall. Ellie, you know, sneaks out of her military boarding school dorm room to spend time with Riley. This particular night, it's a bit of a departure from the usual dark, apocalyptic feel of the story, with neon lights and arcade games. It's almost a sweet, innocent moment, really.

During this time, a very significant event occurs: Ellie kisses Riley. This wasn't just a friendly gesture, either. Riley's response, telling Ellie she shouldn't be sorry for kissing her, pretty much confirms the romantic nature of the moment. This scene, you know, made headlines back in 2014 for being a rare instance of a gay kiss in a mainstream game, and the show brought it to life very faithfully, too.

The kiss is important for a couple of reasons. First, it clearly establishes Ellie's sexuality. It's not something left to interpretation; it's right there, in the open. Second, it sets Riley up as a truly defining character in Ellie's life. This moment, you know, changes Ellie forever, in a way.

The Impact of Their Bond

The connection between Ellie and Riley, honestly, is one of the most powerful parts of this storyline. It's not just about a crush or a first love; it's about how someone can influence another person so deeply. Riley, in some respects, pushed Ellie to think beyond her usual limits. She convinced Ellie to go far beyond her natural line of thinking, and that, you know, changed her forever.

After they both get bitten, which is a truly heartbreaking moment, Ellie is understandably furious. She's ready to give up, to just end it all. This reaction, you know, shows just how much losing Riley scars her. The pain of that loss, it's pretty much a constant companion for Ellie throughout her journey, actually.

The television adaptation, you know, really brought this story to life with great sensitivity. Just like how it won over many audiences with its portrayal of Bill and Frank in episode three, it handled Ellie and Riley's story with a lot of care. This focus on their burgeoning romance, even amidst the dangers, makes the end of their story, too, that much more of a gut punch.

Ellie's Sexuality and Future Relationships

The relationship with Riley is, frankly, a foundational piece for understanding Ellie's personal life. It's not just a standalone event; it connects directly to who she is and who she becomes. So, it's pretty important to consider how it sets the stage for her later relationships, you know.

Riley as First Love

The text makes it clear that Riley is Ellie's first love. She's the first person Ellie ever had a crush on, and the first person she shared a romantic moment with. This is, you know, a pretty significant detail. It means Riley holds a special place in Ellie's heart and memory, as a matter of fact.

It's also established that Riley was, sadly, the first person Ellie ever had to kill. This adds another layer of profound tragedy to their story, showing the harsh realities of their world. The emotional weight of that, you know, it's immense for Ellie.

Dina and Ellie's Later Life

For those wondering about Ellie's sexuality, the games, too, provide further confirmation. In The Last of Us Part II, the 2020 sequel, Ellie finds a girlfriend named Dina. Dina is a very important character in Ellie's story in that game, actually, serving as her partner in a quest for revenge. She's also a playable character in some modes, you know.

Dina's background is also touched upon; she was born sometime between 2015 and 2018, and she comes from a Jewish family that survived the Holocaust. This relationship with Dina is, apparently, expected to be brought to life in the next season of the show. So, viewers will get to see more of Ellie's romantic life unfold, which is pretty exciting for many fans, you know.

The bond with Riley, in a way, lays the groundwork for Ellie's later relationships. It shows her capacity for deep affection and love, even in a world that's constantly trying to break her spirit. Her experiences with Riley, you know, help shape her into the person who can eventually form a lasting bond with Dina, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ellie and Riley

People often have questions about Ellie and Riley's relationship, especially since it's so central to Ellie's story. Here are some common inquiries, you know, that come up.

Was Riley Ellie's first love?

Yes, absolutely. The text makes it clear that Riley was Ellie's best friend and first love. She was, in fact, the first person Ellie ever had a crush on, and their kiss at the mall cemented this as a romantic connection. So, in that respect, Riley holds a very special place in Ellie's history, you know.

What happened to Ellie and Riley?

After their reunion and a memorable night at the mall, Ellie and Riley, sadly, come under attack. Both of them are bitten during this incident. This event, you know, leads to Riley's demise and leaves Ellie furious and scarred. It's a moment that, too, changes Ellie forever, shaping her outlook and her journey.

Does The Last of Us confirm Ellie's sexuality?

Yes, it does, quite clearly. The kiss between Ellie and Riley in the Left Behind story (both game and show) establishes Ellie's sexuality. Furthermore, in The Last of Us Part II, Ellie is shown to be in a relationship with Dina, who is her girlfriend. So, there's no real ambiguity about it, you know, her sexuality is a pretty open part of her character.

Learn more about Ellie's journey on our site, and link to this page here.

For more insights into the game's development and character backstories, you might find information on the The Last of Us Wiki helpful.

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