Actress Isabela Merced, known for her role as Dina on the popular HBO Max series, has shared some insights about one of the more disturbing scenes from the show’s second season. In a recent conversation with [publication name], Merced discussed the episode where Dina and Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) come across the gruesome sight of disemboweled and hung individuals who were murdered by the Scars.
When inquired about whether the “bodies” depicted in the scene with the duo were genuinely present or digitally inserted later, Merced clarified that what appeared as “bodies” were in fact, not real bodies at all. Instead, he explained, they were highly realistic-looking fake bodies that had been hung on the wall. He further expressed his horror and revulsion upon witnessing this gruesome display, stating it significantly marred his day.
The term ‘uncanny valley’ is quite appropriate because our brains have limitations when it comes to processing too much information that seems genuine but isn’t.” (This version maintains the original idea while using simpler and more conversational language.)
How Alien: Romulus Helped Merced in the Scene
In a similar vein, Merced admitted that playing the character Kay in the 2024 sci-fi movie was just as unsettling for her on set as it was for the audience watching the scene. She elaborated, “It was definitely distressing, and there was a clear sense of hostility in the air. It brought back memories of my role in , where I had to navigate multiple layers of fear – from initial dread, to escalating levels, ultimately culminating in an all-encompassing adrenaline rush that only comes with the struggle for survival.
Merced expressed satisfaction, stating, ‘That experience was beneficial since it undeniably equipped me for this.’ She attributed her readiness for her role as Dina in The Last of Us to Alien: Romulus.
The Last of Us (Max)
| Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | IMDb Rating |
| 95% | 68% | 8.7/10 |
Bella Ramsey Weighs in on Their Hardest Scene
In a previous interview, the actress who plays Ellie mentioned that one of the most challenging scenes for her to film was when Ellie cried over Joel’s coat. This is unlike the “distasteful” scene Merced described earlier.
Ramsey shared that he found the scene in the closet particularly challenging because, as he put it, “I have a hard time crying during scenes.” He can produce a tear, but that’s not the same as genuine crying. Even managing to shed a single tear doesn’t come naturally to him. In his daily life, he seldom cries in front of others and only a select few people have ever seen him cry.
Ramsey went on to explain that performing in front of a crowd, along with monitors and additional viewers, made it nearly impossible for them. They shared their strategy of recalling personal experiences and emotions to aid in their performance, but this approach fell short. Instead, they found themselves reminiscing about joyful moments shared with Pedro, which ultimately influenced the scene’s development.
The Last of Us streams on Max with the next new episode set to premiere on May 11 on HBO.
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2025-05-05 17:50