The Last of Us Director Recalls Making the 'World Cry' With Episode 3

Director Peter Hoar talks about making audiences worldwide cry with The Last of Us episode 3.

The memorable third episode of The Last of Us starring Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman has captured hearts and brought tears to the eyes of audiences around the world.

Peter Hoar, the director behind the episode titled "Long, Long Time," has become renowned for making the "world cry uncontrollably." But as he shared with Deadline, his intention wasn't to induce tears but to tell an authentic story. "When I first said yes to the show, I didn’t know what I was going to get. [...] But honestly, I would not change anything for the world. This was the best outcome," Hoar admitted.

Hoar, already known for his work on The Umbrella Academy, It's a Sin, and The Last Kingdom, had high hopes for his episode. Despite being a gaming fan with expectations of directing big action scenes, he discovered a subtler and more intimate approach to the series. His episode's focus on a love story rather than a sci-fi spectacle allowed Hoar to explore deeper emotional themes. "This is sci-fi, but that’s not how it feels. That’s not how it comes across. There are many parts of this that you don’t realize are sci-fi, and I think that’s sci-fi at its best," he noted.

One of the most striking elements of the episode is its visual freshness, a departure from the quarantine zones and urban destruction that characterized earlier segments of the series. Hoar worked on setting the mood by creating a green, clear, and colorful world. "We just wanted it to freshen up a bit and make it look more colorful," Hoar explained, reflecting on the episode's aesthetics.

The Last of Us Episode 3 Had Fans Around the World Crying "Uncontrollably"

Hoar's direction allowed Bartlett and Offerman to bring their characters' relationship to life with depth and humanity, earning praise for their performances. "You encourage and you enable, and make sure that there is a full understanding of why they’re there, what it means, and how it should feel," said Hoar about his approach to directing actors.

The emotional resonance of the episode led to some powerful, tear-inducing moments. Though Hoar didn't set out to make the audience cry, the intensity and authenticity of the emotions portrayed made it happen. "I didn’t certainly set out to tell a story that would make the world cry uncontrollably, but I did," Hoar acknowledged, describing a scene where he told Murray not to cry, but the actor's emotion was too strong to contain.

Hoar's decision not to depict the dead bodies of Frank and Bill at the episode's end further emphasized his commitment to authenticity and respect for the characters. "It’s not gratuitous. [...] It wasn’t necessary," Hoar said, stressing that the portrayal of violence and trauma needed to serve the story rather than shock the audience.

In reflecting on the episode, Hoar's words encapsulate the poignant beauty of the story, he said, "It’s genuine and it’s authentic. [...] That’s just a beautiful scene. The way she reads that letter is hilarious, but yet heartbreaking. And the way that Pedro reacts is just beautiful."