Hayden Panettiere Was 'Really Lonely', During Final Film, Co-star 'Could Tell She Was Struggling'
Hayden Panettiere's final movie, 'Sleepwalker', is drawing renewed attention after costar Justin Chatwin opened up about her loneliness, struggles, and final days behind the scenes.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleHayden Panettiere’s final onscreen role is drawing renewed attention following the actress’ sudden death at 36, with her Sleepwalker co-star Justin Chatwin remembering a side of the actress that audiences rarely saw. Panettiere starred in the popular psychological thriller alongside longtime friend Justin Chatwin, Beverly D’Angelo and Mischa Barton. The film has now become her final appearance before she died on August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina.
Chatwin, who had known Panettiere from earlier in their careers, said reconnecting with her years later was a very different experience, and he could tell something was seriously wrong with the actress. It wasn't just the plot of the film that consumed her.
Hayden Panettiere's final role reflected some of her personal struggles
Sleepwalker, which was released earlier this year, is a psychological horror thriller about a grieving mother and her nightmares that followed the tragic death of her daughter in a car crash. With her abusive husband now in a coma, she is haunted by disturbing dreams and sleepwalking episodes.
Played by Panettiere, the emotionally demanding role came after years of personal struggles with addiction, trauma, and postpartum depression: things that she had publicly discussed before. While the role understandably took an emotional toll on her, there was something more that her co-stars couldn't pinpoint.
After Hayden's demise, Chatwin opened up about his observations in an interview with PEOPLE. The actor recalled that they "hit it off great and it was an awesome shoot," but the film's subject matter sometimes appeared to resonate personally with Panettiere. "She did mention it. She opened up to me about a lot of things," he said.
Chatwin said Panettiere spoke openly with him about her experiences during the production, including her time in rehab. He recalled that the actress opened up about her struggles with addiction. The Shameless actor, who said he has been sober for 15 years, recognized some of what Panettiere was going through. Chatwin told the publication:
"Hayden seemed different when I met her this time than when I met her in the early years. I’ve been sober for 15 years, so I know this world of addiction, and Hollywood — it takes, and it takes from youth."
Panettiere had returned to acting with Scream VI in 2023 after her long-running role on Nashville ended in 2018. She subsequently appeared in several projects, including Sleepwalker, as she rebuilt her career. The actress also released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May, where she opened up about addiction, trauma, her sexuality and painful experiences from her younger years.
Justin Chatwin says Hayden had a 'beautiful heart'
Chatwin said that despite Panettiere's warmth on set, he sensed that she was struggling privately. He said, "I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s this movie.’ But I also know that she was really lonely."
The actor's years-long camaraderie with Panettiere had developed a meaningful bond, and the actress often bared her heart out in their conversations. To the public, she appeared confident and energetic, but her vulnerable side showed during those talks. Chatwin shared:
"I’m sure that everyone else is going to say, ‘Oh, she’s amazing. She’s such a sweet person on set,’ because she was. But we’re trained to be actors, so we’re acting on set, you know? And she is sweet. She had a beautiful heart... and I really liked spending time with her because she took that off, and she was authentic with me about her life, and she opened up about her struggles with addiction. And who knows where it comes from? Does it come from Hollywood? Does it come from home? And a lot of times, it’s both."
In his August 17, 2026 interview, Chatwin fondly remembered the late actress, saying he is "completely gutted over Hayden’s passing." Behind the actress whom audiences knew and loved from Heroes, Nashville and Scream, there was a person who had been dealing with struggles that weren't always visible.
In Justin Chatwin's words, "She had a beautiful heart. And I’m just saddened that another one got taken down."
Image courtesy: Justin Chatwin/Instagram, Hayden Panettiere/Instagram, Jay Shetty Podcast/YouTube
Read Next: Hayden Panettiere's Uncomfortable Past; Did Diana Jenkins Put Her Into Bed With An 'Undressed Man?'
