Director Kyle Haussman-Stokes debut feature film, My Dead Friend Zoe, is both darkly amusing and incredibly powerful as it tells a story about PTSD, guilt, and forgiveness.
My Dead Friend Zoe Review
When it comes to movies those of us with a dark sense of humor enjoy, PTSD and suicide are not exactly the first topics that come to mind. Especially not paired together and not when they are actually tied to a very real issue that faces service women and men when they come home from war. So needless to say when My Dead Friend Zoe showed up on my radar I was intrigued. A dark comedy about those very subjects starring some amazing actors helmed by a veteran and based on real events? You have my attention. Watching the trailer, I found myself wondering if this was going to be a “Ghosts” kinda situation or what? When it comes to supernatural buddy movies there is a wide spectrum from lighthearted to traumatic.
My Dead Friend Zoe is darkly amusing, deeply affecting, and overall an incredible film that tackles the complex emotions of post-traumatic stress disorder, guilt, and forgiveness. The premise, along with the tone of the film, sounds like something that shouldn't work yet it does. Director and writer Hausmann-Stokes finds the balance between being genuinely funny and authentic, with a kind of insight, nuance, and care that can only come from someone who has lived it. The comedy is never at the expense of the message he is trying to get across, which is a crucial part of what makes Zoe so effective. Add to that a talented cast which includes the likes of Morgan Freeman and Sonequa Martin-Green, as well as many veterans and you have an impactful and powerful story.
Merit (Martin-Green), back from her tour in Afghanistan, is dealing with the loss of her best friend and fellow soldier Zoe (Natalie Morales). She has been ordered to attend a veteran group-therapy, led by Dr. Cole (Freeman) in order to help her move past her trauma. It won't be as simple as standing up in sharing however, since Zoe is a very real presence in her life (although no one else can see her), and doesn't take therapy seriously. So she is constantly interrupting Merit and offering color commentary about her life. It all threatens to break Merit, especially after she takes on the additional responsibility of caring for her Vietnam veteran grandfather (Ed Harris), who is in early stages of Alzheimer's. If she ever wants to live freely in the present, Merit must learn to process and let go of the past which means figuring out what to do about Zoe.
My Dead Friend Zoe is based on Hausmann-Stokes' real life experiences, including the loss of his friends and squadmates, as well as having a complicated relationship with his veteran grandfather. Merit is a stand-in for Hausmann-Stokes, allowing him to tell his story, the story of many vets, in a cathartic and meaningful way. Ironically, this film points out what they need in terms of support, while also avoiding it. The point of group therapy, or individual sessions is to share your trauma, your struggles, and come to terms with it in order to find peace. Merit however, is reluctant to participate as her ghostly bestie reminds her that this isn't “for them” and that sharing her story will make her lose Zoe forever.
Why would she lose Zoe? Well Zoe isn't just some friendly specter with unfinished business. Rather, she is the literal incarnation of Merit's guilt. Her dead friend won't (can't) leave her alone until she deals with that and the grief she has been carrying around. Merit must learn to forgive herself, but that's hard on a good day let alone when that constant companion is wearing the face of a friend. There are many powerful moments in the film that highlight Merit's attempts to cope with her emotions in every way but open up. One moment she seems carefree, dancing along to her and Zoe's favorite songs in the car, the next she is lacing up her Hokas, attempting to run away from her thoughts. That might seem jarring in terms of tone, but to anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one, it's realistic. Sometimes we are happily lost in a good memory and others we feel like we are drowning beneath the weight of our feelings. The truth is you never know when it will hit you and that's how this film approaches it.
Martin-Green and Morales make for a dynamic pair in the film. Morales gets to fire off quips, be sarcastic, and generally carefree, even making jokes about being dead. The two have a strong chemistry that sells the fact they are best friends who found each other thanks to a shared experience. Morales' Zoe is a scene-stealer but it's easy to see the shift, when Merit realizes Zoe is actually a problem, albeit one she doesn't know how to solve. Martin-Green is responsible for shouldering the emotional weight of the story but fortunately that's all in a day's work for her. Merit struggles both externally and internally with her trauma, something Martin-Green portrays with subtlety or force depending on the scenario. You want to (and will) laugh and cry with her, while also wanting to tell her it's okay not to be okay. That statement is always easier to say than to do.
Martin-Green and Harris equally have strong chemistry, showing what it looks like when two actors understand how to walk the line between love and tension. Harris' Clay is the reason Merit signed up to serve in the first place, viewing her grandfather as a giant of a man. She was so proud of him, never realizing the toll his service took on him, until she lived it herself. They make for an interesting mirror to one another, each handling their trauma in their own ways. The messaging is clear though, we need to take notice of our vets and as a society, reach out a hand to help as we can. I would be remiss without adding that Hausmann-Stokes cast veterans to fill out his film, including a very familiar one– Freeman. Perfectly cast as the counselor, the voice of God hands out sage wisdom and honest love to Merit and the other soldiers in his care. Be sure to stay through the credits to get more information on these vets as well as to learn more about the friends that inspired the story.
Verdict
My Dead Friend Zoe is sincere, clever, and emotional without ever being preachy or manipulative. This isn't a new genre, and other films exist that show this aspect of military service however Hausmann-Stokes makes this personal, giving it a unique tone that sets it apart from other films like it. The emotions you feel while taking this journey with Merit are real, whether you are a veteran, active military, or just a person like me who misses someone terribly. With his eye for visual storytelling, smart writing, and a cast dedicated to the premise, Hausmann-Stokes' My Dead Friend Zoe is a must see film.
My Dead Friend Zoe is in theaters nationwide February 28. It is rated R for language with a runtime of 1 hour 38 minutes.
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