‘The Last of Us’ Creator on Bella Ramsey’s Intense “Baby Shark” Scene

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In the well-known words from Jaws, Quint said, “A shark has empty, black eyes, like those of a doll. It’s as if it’s not alive when it pursues you.

In the heart-pounding fifth episode of “The Last of Us” season two, I gave Craig Mazin, as well as countless viewers, an unforgettable vibe through my character Ellie, during the tense underground standoff with Nora (Tati Gabrielle). With every chilling question of “Where’s Abby?”, I revealed a new, icy and ruthless side of Ellie that was previously hidden. The scene, drenched in ominous red light, was a stark contrast to the softer Ellie we knew before.

At that particular instance in the hallway, director Stephen Williams, Bella, and I talked about how this scene might test an audience’s emotions. We all feel a natural affection for Ellie because she’s the main character, but that changes here, Mazin explained to The Hollywood Reporter. Instead of cheering for her, we fear her and dislike her during this scene. The expression on Bella’s face and her transformation in that moment are unsettling. Tim Good, who edited that episode, and I called Bella ‘baby shark’ because there’s a coldness and emptiness in her eyes that is chilling. It’s the ferocity that Bella can portray that makes this so different from what we saw just a short while ago when she was celebrating love with Dina.

The scene, Mazin continues, is supposed to remind viewers a bit of Abby when she killed Joel.

As Abby was veering off her stated motives, I can’t help but notice Ellie doing the same. This isn’t rational anymore. She’s straying so far from the carefully crafted words she spoke at the Jackson town council meeting, where she claimed this wasn’t about revenge, it was about us and our community. But let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. What we’re witnessing now is a raw, unbridled fury that I don’t think Ellie fully comprehends herself – a rage that has always been simmering within her.

Mazin stated, “Ellie will likely perform an action again in the future that makes us think, ‘We can’t accompany you on a walk, child.’ ” or

Mazin said, “There may come another time when Ellie behaves in a way that makes us feel we shouldn’t join her for a walk.

Earlier, Ramsey explained to THR that the most challenging scenes to film were usually the simplest for him as he had a clear understanding of what each scene required.

The Last of Us airs Sunday nights on HBO.

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2025-05-12 05:24