February 26, 2025
FILM: MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE
DIRECTED BY: KYLE HAUSMANN-STOKES
STARRING: SONEQUA MARTIN-GREEN, NATALIE MORALES, ED HARRIS
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The title of this film, like last year’s My Old Ass, suggests that it might be a silly comedy with little redeeming value for those who like some substance in their films. While such titles might draw in a wider audience, both have more deeper content than one might initially expect. In the case of My Dead Friend Zoe filmmaker Kyle Hausmann-Stokes explores a variety of significant themes from PTSD to memory, loss, and living in the past.
Sonequa Martin-Green (The Walking Dead, Star Trek: Discovery) stars as Merit, a woman who spent eight years serving the U.S. Army including time in Afghanistan with fellow soldier Zoe, played by Natalie Morales (Grey’s Anatomy, Rugrats.) In a veterans’ support group lead by Morgan Freeman, we soon learn that Zoe is no longer alive but has taken residence in Merit’s every waking thought. Like Merit, we see Zoe on screen. I must admit that I found her presence a bit annoying after a while though due to her assertive, defiant, and cocky attitude. In Merit’s mind Zoe is something of a loose cannon, both verbally and in her daily life. Merit seems much more committed to pursuing her college dreams after her service time. Zoe seems aimless with no specific plans other than to re-enlist in the army. Because Merit is experiencing regular conversations with Zoe in her head during post-military life, we assume that whatever happened to her must have been particularly tragic and that it occurred at some point during their service.
However, the narrative is much more complex than this. Perhaps it is trying to cover too much. As Merit is dealing with her inner struggles surrounding Zoe, she’s also contending with her grandfather, played by Ed Harris, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. He’s also a vet and the two spar a bit about the differences in their experiences as he served time in Vietnam, and she was stationed in Afghanistan. This is where the narrative fumbles in its thematic construction. Is writer/director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes trying to focus on comparing past military experiences? Losing memories? PTSD? Living life after the military? The script seems to be juggling each of these themes without ever really settling on any specific one. The film’s final credits suggest something else, which I won’t mention here because I think the film needs to be judged on the content that is within the context of its narrative rather than something more specific that is only given brief attention. Even the title of the film suggests Zoe is the center to Merit’s struggle, but the script gives equal time to the grandfather story often moving somewhat confusingly between the two.
There are also hints that the film wants to explore sexism in the military and the triggering effects of fireworks and guns. Again, these are issues that any veteran might suffer through, but My Dead Friend Zoe meanders between each of them.
Sonequa Martin-Green gives a terrific performance as Merit though. There’s a toughness and self-assuredness to her portrayal that is reminiscent of a young Angela Bassett. She also demonstrates a vulnerable side to Merit that might be ready to move on from her past. The character has a flirtation with Alex, who runs the assistant living facility where Merit wants to place her grandfather. Alex is played by the charming and layered actor Utkarsh Ambudkar, best known for his roles on the TV series Ghosts and Never Have I Ever. He adds a lightness to the film which is welcome and allows the character of Merit to begin to heal.
It's nice to have Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris in the film as well. The former makes for a sympathetic veterans’ group leader and the latter has some explosive scenes as Merit’s grandfather. (Although the signs of the character’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis are only slightly evident.)
My Dead Friend Zoe does honor veterans and the tough times many have experienced during and after their military service. I just wish it would have stayed the course and developed some of its plot points and ideas a bit more thoroughly.
My Dead Friend Zoe opens theatrically this week.
FILM: MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE
DIRECTED BY: KYLE HAUSMANN-STOKES
STARRING: SONEQUA MARTIN-GREEN, NATALIE MORALES, ED HARRIS
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The title of this film, like last year’s My Old Ass, suggests that it might be a silly comedy with little redeeming value for those who like some substance in their films. While such titles might draw in a wider audience, both have more deeper content than one might initially expect. In the case of My Dead Friend Zoe filmmaker Kyle Hausmann-Stokes explores a variety of significant themes from PTSD to memory, loss, and living in the past.
Sonequa Martin-Green (The Walking Dead, Star Trek: Discovery) stars as Merit, a woman who spent eight years serving the U.S. Army including time in Afghanistan with fellow soldier Zoe, played by Natalie Morales (Grey’s Anatomy, Rugrats.) In a veterans’ support group lead by Morgan Freeman, we soon learn that Zoe is no longer alive but has taken residence in Merit’s every waking thought. Like Merit, we see Zoe on screen. I must admit that I found her presence a bit annoying after a while though due to her assertive, defiant, and cocky attitude. In Merit’s mind Zoe is something of a loose cannon, both verbally and in her daily life. Merit seems much more committed to pursuing her college dreams after her service time. Zoe seems aimless with no specific plans other than to re-enlist in the army. Because Merit is experiencing regular conversations with Zoe in her head during post-military life, we assume that whatever happened to her must have been particularly tragic and that it occurred at some point during their service.
However, the narrative is much more complex than this. Perhaps it is trying to cover too much. As Merit is dealing with her inner struggles surrounding Zoe, she’s also contending with her grandfather, played by Ed Harris, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. He’s also a vet and the two spar a bit about the differences in their experiences as he served time in Vietnam, and she was stationed in Afghanistan. This is where the narrative fumbles in its thematic construction. Is writer/director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes trying to focus on comparing past military experiences? Losing memories? PTSD? Living life after the military? The script seems to be juggling each of these themes without ever really settling on any specific one. The film’s final credits suggest something else, which I won’t mention here because I think the film needs to be judged on the content that is within the context of its narrative rather than something more specific that is only given brief attention. Even the title of the film suggests Zoe is the center to Merit’s struggle, but the script gives equal time to the grandfather story often moving somewhat confusingly between the two.
There are also hints that the film wants to explore sexism in the military and the triggering effects of fireworks and guns. Again, these are issues that any veteran might suffer through, but My Dead Friend Zoe meanders between each of them.
Sonequa Martin-Green gives a terrific performance as Merit though. There’s a toughness and self-assuredness to her portrayal that is reminiscent of a young Angela Bassett. She also demonstrates a vulnerable side to Merit that might be ready to move on from her past. The character has a flirtation with Alex, who runs the assistant living facility where Merit wants to place her grandfather. Alex is played by the charming and layered actor Utkarsh Ambudkar, best known for his roles on the TV series Ghosts and Never Have I Ever. He adds a lightness to the film which is welcome and allows the character of Merit to begin to heal.
It's nice to have Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris in the film as well. The former makes for a sympathetic veterans’ group leader and the latter has some explosive scenes as Merit’s grandfather. (Although the signs of the character’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis are only slightly evident.)
My Dead Friend Zoe does honor veterans and the tough times many have experienced during and after their military service. I just wish it would have stayed the course and developed some of its plot points and ideas a bit more thoroughly.
My Dead Friend Zoe opens theatrically this week.