Bella Ramsey Delivers Stunning Performance in Last of Us Season 2 Torture Scene

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Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 5.

In episode 5 of “The Last of Us” season 2 titled “Feel Her Love,” one of Ellie’s most challenging scenes from the game was brought to life brilliantly by Bella Ramsey. Despite some unjust criticism about her casting, Ramsey has been delivering exceptional performances this season. Reminiscent of her powerful portrayals in season 1 such as kissing Riley, killing David, and making Joel promise truthfulness, Ramsey is now replicating the heart-wrenching moments from Ashley Johnson’s game performances with a fresh twist that maintains their original emotional impact.

In the course of the series, Ramsey skillfully elicited all the appropriate emotions in the crucial scenes. Watching Ellie cry over Joel’s dead body was as heart-wrenching on screen as it was in the game, and her relationship with Dina has been equally captivating and endearing in this new format. In episode 5 of The Last of Us season 2, Ramsey was assigned to portray one of Ellie’s most difficult and intense scenes from the original game, a moment that makes her character genuinely terrifying. They executed this task flawlessly.

Bella Ramsey Nailed Ellie’s Torture Scene In The Last Of Us Season 2

Torturing Nora Is A Major Turning Point For Ellie

As a passionate moviegoer who’s deeply immersed in the world of “The Last of Us,” let me share my thoughts on season 2, episode 5. Unlike the game, Dina joins Ellie on her mission to the hospital instead of staying behind at the theater. It’s Jesse, not a W.L.F. squad, who saves Ellie from a group of stalkers. And it’s Dina, not Ellie, who takes the arrow from the Seraphites. However, when Ellie decides to sneak off on her own to infiltrate the hospital, the storyline aligns more closely with the game. She confronts Nora at gunpoint, Nora taunts her about Joel’s death, and Ellie corners Nora in a blood-red hallway filled with spores – just like in the game!

In a heart-wrenching scene, as Nora succumbs to a fit of coughing, Ellie resorts to striking her with a heavy lead pipe in an attempt to coerce her into revealing Abby’s whereabouts. Although the TV adaptation couldn’t quite match the raw intensity of the game, where players physically execute the brutal act by pressing a button, it skillfully recreated that sense of shock, and this was largely due to Ramsey’s exceptional acting performance.

In a chilling, icy tone, Ramsey delivers each line as Nora begs for her life. Nora informs Ellie that the basement is teeming with spores, implying she’s doomed them both by bringing them there; however, Ellie casually queries, “Did I?” Nora shares with Ellie that Joel annihilated all Fireflies, seemingly unaware if she knows this fact. But Ellie remains indifferent, saying, “I know. I don’t care.” There’s an obvious absence of compassion in her words; instead, she’s merely expressing unbridled fury and malice. This is a stark contrast to Ramsey’s typical cheerful demeanor.

Ramsey’s Ellie Is As Genuinely Scary As Her Video Game Counterpart For The First Time

She Comes Off As Callous & Cold-Blooded

The intensity of this game scene lies in the fact that Ellie appears truly terrifying. It’s hard to fathom the ferocity she demonstrates, mercilessly striking Nora repeatedly with a pipe, disregarding her cries of pain. Ramsey excellently portrays this fearsome aspect in the TV series. In this instance, there’s an unsettling glimmer in her eye that chillingly reveals Ellie’s ruthless nature, as she becomes singularly determined to seek retribution, and her compassion seems to be temporarily lost.

Throughout “The Last of Us,” Ramsey has delivered numerous stunning acting moments that leave an indelible impression. From the haunting expression of disbelief and detachment after killing David, to the skeptical gaze following Joel’s assertion of truthfulness, and the furtive glances at Riley and later at Dina – each moment showcases Ramsey’s exceptional talent. Most notably, Ramsey’s portrayal of the iconic torture scene is a testament to their acting prowess. Those who continue to question Ramsey’s acting skills or their ability to embody Ellie should take note and pay closer attention.

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2025-05-14 13:41