In the fifth episode of The Last of Us, the horror and tension are cranked up to the max as Ellie and her friends frantically rescue the two children, Henry and Sam, from the terrifying infected Bloater. “A Bloodbath and a Bloater” is an intense episode that had viewers on the edge of their seats, as the cast and crew of The Last of Us discuss the episode in an exclusive interview.
Star Ashley Johnson, who plays Ellie, described the anxiety of the episode, saying “It was so intense shooting this episode. We were all so immersed in the story and had to make sure we didn’t miss a beat, because one mistake could mean the difference between life and death for the kids.” Johnson’s costar, Merle Dandridge, who portrays Marlene, added that the episode was “emotionally draining”, but they all managed to stay focused and push through it.
The actors also dive deep into the characters of Henry and Sam, two children who were forced to become hardened survivors in a harsh post-apocalyptic world. For Johnson, understanding their plight was essential to her performance. “I had to really tap into their inner struggles. It was heartbreaking, yet strangely inspiring to see how resilient these two were in the face of such adversity.”
The episode also features a frightening confrontation with a Bloater, a hulking, fungus-covered monster that is one of the most dangerous enemies in The Last of Us. The enemy was brought to life by the show’s special effects team, and the actors discussed their experience of filming the scene. “It was like a movie set come to life,” said Dandridge. “When we saw the Bloater, it was so real and terrifying, I almost forgot we were in a studio!”
“A Bloodbath and a Bloater” is one of the most intense episodes of The Last of Us and the cast and crew give us a look into the intense filming process. From the emotional tug of war between Henry and Sam to the chilling encounter with the Bloater, viewers are sure to be on the edge of their seat with this harrowing episode.