Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is not something that is talked about often in our culture. Neither is Alzheimer’s and having to make the extremely difficult decision on whether to put your loved one in a convalescent home or not. Army veteran/director/co-writer Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, with co-writer A.J. Bermudez, tackles these issues head-on in a film based on the director’s true-life story in the form of the dark comedy My Dead Friend Zoe.
Sonequa Martin-Green is Merit, a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who has visions of her dead bestie Zoe (Natalie Morales). Even in the afterlife for Zoe, the two women have an unmatched bond, rocking out to music together in the car while passersby stare at Merit for her strange behavior by herself. Despite being able to see her friend (while no one else can), Merit is in a deep rut, struggling to maintain a healthy level in any and all aspects of her life, big and small (such as keeping food stocked in her fridge).
Merit’s VA group counselor Dr. Cole (Morgan Freeman) is on her case to try to open up to the group, but that’s another task that seems too tall. The straw that breaks her back is when her beloved Vietnam veteran grandfather Dale (Ed Harris) is starting to lose his battle with old age, and Merit must make the decision on whether to put him in a home or not.
My Dead Friend Zoe may sound heavy, and the themes are, but the characters of Zoe and Merit’s romantic interest Alex (Utkarsh Ambudkar) add much needed levity to it all with their playful jokes and behavior. The cinematography by Matt Sakatani Roe is gorgeous, with much of the filming showing Dale’s ancestral lake house home in Oregon.
“…has visions of her dead bestie Zoe (Natalie Morales)…”
The cast of My Dead Friend Zoe is on another level, led by Sonequa Martin-Green in a bonafide movie-star-making performance. Sonequa was already a television star with Star Trek: Discovery, but her emotional range here proves that she can carry a film to greatness. There’s a twist that I won’t spoil, but she sells it so well that I was simultaneously gut-punched while being moved to tears. Her charm, chemistry with her co-stars like the equally likeable Morales, and vulnerability is so refreshing to see on-screen that I really hope that Martin-Green is recognized for this work.
Of course, it helps to have screen legends such as Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris to play off of. It’s nostalgically refreshing to see cranky Harris as Dale ripping his granddaughter for not knowing his complicated trash/recycling bin system, because it seems like it’s been a while since we have seen him in his acting element like this. Likewise for Freeman, who always comes across as a natural mentor.
Kudos definitely also have to be given to director/co-writer Kyle Hausmann-Stokes for sharing his true story in such an authentic yet still entertaining and engaging way. This is the realest depiction of PTSD that I’ve ever seen, and that’s because he lived it, but also has the artistry to be able to share without resorting to cliches.
My Dead Friend Zoe hit a nerve with me. I haven’t been to war, but I have relatives who have (like so many of us). I’ve seen people grow old and the difficulties that come with that. Depression goes hand in hand with PTSD, and who hasn’t had a tough stretch at some point in life? To be able to understand these universal experiences on a deeper level because of this film is a true gift. Even if you don’t have a Zoe, just know that you’re never truly alone.
"…gut punched while being moved to tears..."
