My Dead Friend Zoe conveys the battles faced by veterans once they return home, centering on Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran struggling with PTSD and visions of her deceased soldier friend, Zoe. She avoids therapy, remains disconnected from her family, and every time she tries to move forward, she’s pulled back by the lingering presence of her lost friend (literally).
Directed by first-time feature-length director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, who brings his own experiences with PTSD and survivor’s guilt, the film feels deeply authentic in its portrayal of trauma. It effectively captures how difficult it is for Merit to keep going, with a poignant parallel drawn between her and her grandfather, Dale (Ed Harris), a Vietnam veteran facing the physical limitations of aging. Merit’s mother wants to place Dale in a nursing home, much to his resistance, and Merit understands him. The scenes between Dale and Merit are among the film’s best—there’s an unspoken understanding between them, and while Dale comes close to dismissing Merit’s struggles, the film wisely avoids taking it too far.
There’s also an engaging romantic subplot with Alex (Utkarsh Ambudkar), which highlights Merit’s difficulties in embracing love and normalcy. Utkarsh brings great levity to the role, and his comedic timing and chemistry with Martin-Green make for some of the year’s best romantic moments.
The film excels in these subplots—perhaps even more than in the part that is actually in the title. Instead of focusing primarily on the grandfather-granddaughter relationship and Merit’s own war experiences, the film places its emotional core on the interactions between Merit and Zoe, as well as Zoe’s ultimate fate. And that’s where it doesn’t quite pack the punch it aims for.
Their scenes are divided between the present, where Zoe appears through hallucinations (the reveal itself is cleverly executed), and the past, through flashback sequences during their mission in Afghanistan. While the setup is strong—we quickly buy into their bond as they sing Diamonds by Rihanna together—these scenes can feel a bit repetitive, especially given how deeply the film wants to explore their connection. A pivotal moment where Merit makes a promise to Zoe occurs immediately after Zoe’s emotional breakdown, a choice that unintentionally diminishes the weight of that promise. Instead of feeling like a profound commitment, it comes across as a reactionary gesture in an already heightened moment.
Additionally, the final reveal happens with a few unanswered questions—how much time passed after their deployment? Was there a gradual separation? The way the scene is portrayed prevents the audience from fully grasping the emotional weight of Merit’s guilt. It’s clear what the film is going for in its climactic moment, but unfortunately, it doesn’t achieve the full impact it intends.
Some characters also feel underdeveloped, particularly Morgan Freeman’s therapist and Merit’s mother, who come across as more one-dimensional compared to the rest of the cast. The actors, however, elevate what they’re given—Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, and Freeman all bring more depth than is present on the page. Martin-Green, in particular, delivers a commanding performance, making every one of her character’s choices feel understandable, even when we don’t agree with them. Ed Harris, however, seems slightly uncomfortable in the film’s more vulnerable moments, excelling instead when leaning into the gruff, no-nonsense persona he’s known for. Seeing an actor of Harris’s caliber subvert his usual screen presence can be fascinating (as Anthony Hopkins did in The Father), but here, these moments don’t feel entirely authentic, ultimately landing with less impact than they should.
Yet, for a first feature, Hausmann-Stokes delivers an impressive and affecting debut. His personal experiences bring a raw honesty to the material, particularly in its quieter moments, shedding light on the challenges of veteran mental health care and reintegration. Everything surrounding Merit’s struggles and her relationships outside of Zoe works extremely well, but a more seasoned filmmaker might have tightened the script and refined those key emotional scenes to make them truly devastating. As it stands, My Dead Friend Zoe remains a worthwhile watch for its subject matter and strong central performance.