”My Dead Friend Zoe” is a 2024 dark comedy-drama that delves into themes of grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the complexities of military camaraderie. The film follows Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who continues to see the apparition of her deceased best friend, Zoe (Natalie Morales), after returning home. This spectral presence strains Merit’s relationships, including those with her Vietnam veteran grandfather (Ed Harris) and her VA counselor (Morgan Freeman).
Directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes in his feature debut, the film is inspired by his own experiences serving in Iraq. It premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2024, where it won the Audience Award, and was released in U.S. theaters on February 28, 2025.
The cast includes:
- Sonequa Martin-Green as Merit
- Natalie Morales as Zoe
- Ed Harris as Dale
- Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cole
- Gloria Reuben as Kris
- Utkarsh Ambudkar as Alex
The film has received positive reviews for its heartfelt portrayal of veterans’ struggles. Valerie Complex of Deadline Hollywood praised it as “a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.” Matt Donato of Collider lauded Martin-Green’s performance, and Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com commended Harris, referring to him as “one of our best living actors.”
As of March 27, 2025, “My Dead Friend Zoe” is available for streaming and digital purchase on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango.
For a visual glimpse into the film, you can watch the official trailer below: