When Naughty Dog first dropped the gameplay trailer for The Last of Us Part II back in 2018, the world didn't just see a more brutal Ellie; they saw a dance. Specifically, they saw a kiss in a crowded church between Ellie and a girl named Dina.
People lost their minds. Some were thrilled by the representation, while others were just curious about how this new character would handle the post-apocalypse. Honestly, though? Most of us had no idea how vital Dina would become to the actual soul of the game. She isn't just a sidekick or a romantic interest. She is the anchor.
In a world where everyone is losing their humanity to the cycle of violence, she’s the one trying to build something worth living for. It's a tough job.
The Dina We Meet in Jackson
Dina isn't some naive newcomer. By the time we take control of Ellie in Jackson, Dina has been around the block. She’s observant. She’s sharp. She has that specific kind of "Jackson cool" where she can joke about weed and old-world movies while also being a literal crack shot with a bolt-action rifle.
You can see her influence everywhere in the early hours. She’s the one pushing Ellie to talk about her feelings, even when Ellie is being a stubborn, brooding mess. It’s a dynamic that feels lived-in. When they head out on patrol into the snow, the banter isn’t just filler. It's character building. You find out she’s Jewish, that she’s had a complicated history with Jesse, and that she’s fiercely protective.
She sees the world differently than Ellie. Ellie is driven by a hole in her heart that she’s trying to fill with revenge. Dina is driven by the people she loves. That’s a massive distinction that defines every choice they make once they hit the rainy streets of Seattle.
The Seattle Shift
Everything changes once the "Day 1" trek begins. The tone shifts from a snowy romance to a gritty survival horror. This is where we see Dina's tactical side. She isn't just following Ellie; she’s scouting, looting, and providing genuine emotional support during the most harrowing moments.
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But then comes the reveal.
The pregnancy.
It’s a polarizing plot point for some, but it adds a layer of stakes that The Last of Us thrives on. It forces a wedge between the two. Suddenly, Ellie's quest for Abby isn't just dangerous for her—it’s dangerous for the child Dina is carrying. This is where you really start to see the cracks in their relationship. Dina wants to survive. Ellie wants to kill.
Why Dina Represents the "New World"
If Joel and Tommy represent the "Old World"—men who remember how things used to be and are shaped by the trauma of the fall—Dina represents the generation trying to move past it. She’s pragmatic. She understands that the WLF and the Seraphites are threats, but she doesn't want to become them.
Think about the scene in the library. Or the theater.
Dina is constantly trying to carve out a home. She fixes the radio. She looks for supplies. She tries to make the dusty, abandoned theater feel like a sanctuary. It's a stark contrast to Ellie, who spends her time checking names off a list. Dina is looking for a future; Ellie is obsessed with the past.
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The Farm and the Breaking Point
The final act of the game is where Dina really shines as a character of immense strength. Living on the farm outside Jackson, they have the "perfect" life. A baby (JJ), a beautiful view, and some semblance of peace.
But Ellie can’t let go.
The scene where Ellie decides to go to Santa Barbara is one of the most heartbreaking moments in modern gaming. Dina doesn't scream. She doesn't throw a fit. She gives an ultimatum. "I'm not doing this again," she says. It’s a moment of profound self-respect. She knows that by staying, she is choosing her son and her own sanity over a woman who is addicted to her own trauma.
A lot of players were mad at Dina for leaving. But if you look at it objectively, she’s the only one making a healthy choice. She refuses to let her child be raised in the shadow of Ellie's PTSD and bloodlust.
Combat and Gameplay Utility
From a pure "gaming" perspective, Dina is actually one of the better AI companions Naughty Dog has designed. Unlike some stealth-based games where companions constantly blow your cover, Dina is surprisingly competent.
- Aggression: She actually takes shots. If you’re pinned down by a WLF soldier, there’s a high chance Dina will flank them or provide suppressing fire.
- Ammo Scavenging: Just like Ellie did for Joel in the first game, Dina will occasionally toss you a clip when you’re running dry.
- Stealth Kills: She’s remarkably good at following your lead. If you go for a stealth kill, she’ll often move to secure a second target simultaneously.
It makes the "Day 1" and "Day 2" sections feel less lonely. When she eventually has to stay behind at the theater due to her morning sickness, the game feels noticeably colder. You realize just how much you relied on her—not just for bullets, but for the light she brings to the dark corners of Seattle.
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The Cultural Impact of the Character
Dina’s Jewish heritage is another detail that Naughty Dog handled with incredible nuance. The scene in the synagogue in Seattle isn't just a "collectible" moment. It’s a deep dive into her worldview. She talks about her sister, Talia, and how her faith survived the end of the world.
It’s rare to see a Jewish character in a mainstream triple-A game whose identity isn't a caricature or a plot device. For Dina, it’s just who she is. It’s her history. It informs her resilience. In a world that has lost its gods, Dina still finds meaning in the rituals of her ancestors. It's beautiful, honestly.
What People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a common misconception that Dina "abandoned" Ellie. That’s just not true.
Dina waited. She waited for months while Ellie was in California. But life on a farm in a post-apocalyptic world isn't a vacation. It’s hard labor. It’s dangerous. She couldn't protect a baby and run a farm alone while waiting for a ghost to come home.
When Ellie returns to that empty house, it’s a consequence of her own actions, not a betrayal by Dina. Dina did exactly what she said she would do: she moved on. She likely went back to the safety of Jackson, where Jesse’s parents and the community could help her raise JJ.
It’s a realistic, bittersweet ending. It reinforces the theme that revenge costs you everything. Ellie got her "closure," but she lost the only person who truly saw her for who she was—not as a cure, not as a weapon, but as Ellie.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Players
If you’re looking to dive deeper into Dina’s story or want to appreciate her character more on your next playthrough, here’s how to do it:
- Read the Journal Entries: Ellie’s journal is packed with sketches of Dina and poems about her. Most players skim these, but they provide the essential internal monologue Ellie never says out loud.
- Trigger the Optional Conversations: In the "Downtown" Seattle section (the open-world part), don't rush to the objectives. There are dozens of small interactions at the music shop, the courthouse, and the ruined buildings that flesh out Dina’s backstory.
- Watch the Face Model’s Content: Cascina Caradonna, the face model for Dina, has a YouTube channel where she reacted to the game. It’s a fascinating look at how a real person sees themselves translated into a digital survivor.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Tracks like "Allowed to be Happy" are specifically tied to the Dina/Ellie relationship. Listening to them outside of the chaos of combat helps you feel the emotional weight the composers were aiming for.
Dina is the moral compass of The Last of Us Part II. She’s the proof that even when the world ends, love doesn't have to be a weakness. It can be the very thing that keeps you from falling into the abyss. If we ever get a Part III, seeing where she and JJ ended up will be at the top of everyone's wishlist. For now, she remains the most human character in a world full of monsters.