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The Last of Us Used CGI for Abby: Kaitlyn Dever Reveals Why

May 30, 2025 9:50 AM

In a recent interview, actress Kaitlyn Dever opened up about her experience while filming The Last of Us Season 2. Dever revealed that she had to undergo CGI treatment on her face due to a spider bite that left her with an "oozing" mark. Despite the unexpected injury, she praised the production team for effectively hiding it in post-production. The emotional toll of her mother's death shortly before filming a significant scene added depth to her performance, highlighting the challenges actors face off-screen. HBO reports that Season 2 has achieved over 90 million global viewers, although the audience for the finale saw a decline compared to the Season 1 finale. Showrunner Craig Mazin has indicated that a fourth season will be necessary to adequately conclude the series, as the narrative from the video games cannot be wrapped up in just three seasons.

How does Kaitlyn Dever's spider bite impact her performance in The Last of Us?

Kaitlyn Dever's spider bite required CGI correction, but it also added emotional depth to her performance after the loss of her mother. The combined personal challenges significantly influenced how she approached her scenes, especially those filled with grief and intensity.

The Last of Us, originally a critically acclaimed video game series developed by Naughty Dog, explores themes of survival, love, and human connection in a post-apocalyptic world. The HBO adaptation has garnered significant attention and praise for its faithful representation of the original material, attracting both fans of the game and new viewers alike.



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Alex Riverton

Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.

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Sephiroth Sephiroth commented on: 2025-05-30 10:52:08
It's crazy how even unexpected setbacks like a spider bite can become part of an actor's journey, adding layers to their performance. Meanwhile, HBO stretching the story to four seasons just means more time for us to emotionally recover between heartbreaks.
Miss Peachy Miss Peachy commented on: 2025-05-30 10:46:10
Wow, it's wild how real-life struggles like Dever's spider bite and personal loss ended up fueling such an authentic performance. The Last of Us always finds ways to blur the line between fiction and raw human experience, both on and off screen. Also, hearing they’ll need four seasons to do the story justice has me hyped—more time to live in this heartbreaking world
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