Why Dina From The Last Of Us Season 2 Looks So Familiar

This article contains a discussion of mental health.

In “The Last of Us Part II,” released in 2020, a follow-up to the hit 2013 game “The Last of Us” from Naughty Dog, we encounter Dina, a resourceful and combative survivor who shares a close bond with Ellie, one of the game’s primary characters. In this post-apocalyptic series, Ellie is portrayed by Bella Ramsey, and her character development unfolds significantly across the first season as she navigates a world devastated by a cordyceps virus that transforms infected individuals into ravenous zombies. Accompanied by Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, Ellie journeys across the country in the initial season. They also take time to visit Jackson, a fortified sanctuary inhabited by survivors and home to Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna), where Dina is introduced as a resident in the game.

In the screen, Isabela Merced takes on the character Dina. Known for her remarkable acting abilities, she has amassed an impressive portfolio since making her debut on Nickelodeon’s “100 Things to Do Before High School” (aired from 2014 to 2016). During this period, Merced was also the voice of Kate in “Dora and Friends: Into the City!” (a spin-off of the popular cartoon “Dora the Explorer”). In 2017, she made her mark in her initial big-budget project, “Transformers: The Last Knight.” Following a supporting role in the sequel “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” as the daughter of a cartel boss in 2018, Merced garnered critical acclaim, propelling her career forward. With her significant part in “The Last of Us” season 2, here’s where you may recognize Merced — the actress playing Dina — from previous on-screen appearances.

Instant Family

In the same year, Isabela Merced played roles in both “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” and “Instant Family.” The latter is a comedic drama directed by Sean Anders, who has worked on films like “That’s My Boy” and “Daddy’s Home,” and co-written with John Morris, known for “Daddy’s Home” and “We’re the Millers.” In “Instant Family,” Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne portray Pete and Ellie Wagner, a childless couple who decide to adopt after years of deliberation. They join a foster care network and attend an adoption event where they meet 15-year-old Lizzie, played by Isabela Merced. However, there’s a twist: Lizzie cannot be separated from her siblings, 10-year-old Juan (Gustavo Escobar) and 6-year-old Lita (Julianna Gamiz), so Pete and Ellie take all three children home with them.

Moving three children into a fresh home and family setting can be quite challenging, and there are some significant growing pains experienced by the Wagners with their newly formed “instant family.” Matters become more intricate when the kids’ mother Carla (Joselin Reyes), who has just been released from prison, decides to visit. This unexpected event throws a wrench into the new lives that her children are trying to establish and live, eventually reaching a point where Pete and Ellie understand they must defend their newly formed family. “Instant Family” is surprisingly heartwarming, and Merced, portraying the eldest sibling who endeavors to keep the blended family united, delivers an outstanding performance; truthfully, she’s the emotional core of the entire narrative.

Father of the Bride

2022 saw the release of the sixth adaptation of “Father of the Bride,” a modern retelling by HBO, now known as Max. This time around, Andy Garcia portrays Billy Herrera, a prosperous Miami architect married to Ingrid (Gloria Estefan). The couple has two daughters: Sofia, played by Adria Arjona, who recently graduated from law school and is planning her wedding to another lawyer, Adan Castillo (Diego Boneta), in a month’s time; and Cora, portrayed by Isabela Merced, who aspires to be a fashion designer. As marital issues between Ingrid and Billy arise, Sofia returns home, causing Billy to experience a panic due to his daughter’s impending nuptials.

In the film, Merced plays a supporting role to the main bride, Cora, but she still gets to experience significant emotional moments. For instance, Cora designs Sofia’s magnificent wedding dress and creates outfits for all the bridesmaids. Moreover, it is Merced who hears Billy discussing his upcoming divorce from Ingrid and informs the rest of the family, causing a stir just before the wedding ceremony. Despite being a “Father of the Bride” movie, the story ends in happiness.

Rosaline

In the 2022 Hulu original, “Rosaline,” Isabela Merced takes on a significant part, which is a twist on the character Rosaline from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” While Kaitlyn Dever portrays the title role of Rosaline, it’s important to note that in this modern retelling, Rosaline is the woman Romeo loves prior to meeting Juliet. In an intriguing turn of events, Isabela Merced plays the role of Juliet in “Rosaline.

In a fresh take by Director Karen Maine, characters Rosaline and Juliet, cousins this time, find themselves at odds over their affection for Romeo (Kyle Allen). As Juliet discovers that Romeo had been involved with Rosaline before she entered the scene, she plots her retaliation. Meanwhile, Rosaline grapples with her feelings towards another suitor, Dario Penza (Sean Teale), and their budding romance unfolds against the backdrop of William Shakespeare’s classic play. Unlike the original tale, where miscommunication leads to the tragic demise of Romeo and Juliet, Rosaline and Dario manage to avoid such a fate. Instead, it is Romeo and Juliet who struggle to find harmony after their passionate romance, while Rosaline and Dario enjoy a contented existence.

Interestingly, this story bears some resemblance to “The Last of Us,” as Merced plays Dina in the second season, and her on-screen cousin Dever appears as Abby, another new character introduced in Season 2.

Madame Web

Madame Web” might seem like a rather ill-conceived film to some viewers, but Isabela Merced holds her own in it. In this story by Sony, trying to establish a universe linked to Spider-Man’s character even though he is well-established in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we meet EMT Cassandra “Cassie” Webb (played by Dakota Johnson). Her mother tragically passed away while studying spiders in the Amazon, setting the stage for a relatively ordinary life. However, an accident involving an ambulance grants her unusual abilities. She can now foresee future events, and when she catches a glimpse of millionaire explorer Ezekiel Sims (portrayed by Tahar Rahim, who apparently wasn’t on set during filming as his lines were mostly added later through ADR) murdering three teenage girls, Cassie takes decisive action.

In the movie, Sydney Sweeney, Merced, and Celeste O’Connor portray teenage characters Julia Cornwall, Anya Corazon, and Mattie Franklin, respectively. Despite frequent shots of them in their superhero suits throughout the film, they never actually wear them during the plot. The overall project has been criticized for its disorganization, but the actors, including Merced, Johnson, Sweeney, and Franklin, deliver admirable performances given the limited resources at their disposal. Unfortunately, as of now, it seems that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe might not be producing any more installments, particularly since “Kraven the Hunter” underperformed financially. This means Merced may not have to revisit this specific franchise.

Alien: Romulus

2024 finds Isabela Merced stepping into her most significant role yet in Fede Álvarez’s contribution to the enduring “Alien” series, titled “Alien: Romulus.” The film centers around Cailee Spaeny’s character, Marie Raines “Rain” Carradine (known from “Priscilla” and “Civil War”), an orphaned Jackson’s Star colonist struggling against a newly imposed labor contract. To break free, she enlists the help of her android sibling Andy (David Johnson), her former lover Tyler Harrison (Archie Renaux), his pregnant sister Kay Harrison (Merced again), and their android-averse cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn). They manage to secure a vessel and navigate it towards an abandoned Weyland-Yutani space station, divided into two halves—Romulus and Remus, named for the legendary Roman twin brothers—in search of tools for a lengthy voyage.

Any fan of the “Alien” series would recognize that there’s something unusual about the portrayal of pregnancy and childbirth in this franchise. So, when you found out that Merced’s character Kay is pregnant, it should have raised some concerns. Unsurprisingly, there’s a highly disturbing scene involving Kay, who has been pursued and attacked by a xenomorph, giving birth to a grotesquely mutated hybrid of human and xenomorph. This scene serves as an effective horror performance for Merced, even if her character may not appear in future “Alien” films due to the outcome of this movie.

Turtles All The Way Down

John Green is widely renowned as one of the leading young adult novelists, with numerous titles such as “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Paper Towns” being successfully translated for both cinema and television. In 2024, his work “Turtles All the Way Down” received the adaptation treatment, featuring Isabela Merced portraying the role of 16-year-old Aza Holmes, a character battling obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Aza’s mission is to locate a reclusive billionaire who is also a fugitive. Interestingly, this billionaire is the father of her childhood friend Davis, played by Felix Mallard in the movie, and a romantic tension develops between them despite Aza’s intense fear of catching a potentially fatal disease.

In a slightly different wording, “John Green’s ‘Turtles All the Way Down,’ released in May 2024, didn’t quite grab headlines but was appreciated by critics and showcased Merced’s exceptional talents. On April 13th at 9 P.M. EST, catch Merced as Dina in Season 2 of ‘The Last of Us,’ airing on Max and HBO.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, or if someone close to you is, consider reaching out to Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Alternatively, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Additionally, you can find more resources on the National Institute of Mental Health’s website.

2025-04-13 23:31