My Dead Friend Zoe

With this kind of title and the mix of genres, I knew I would get something unusual. A comedy that is also a drama - not the best match for success. This time it works, even though both big names are on the background (and doing such great jobs to leave the stage for both actresses to shine).

It is a movie about grief, about trauma and about the way to handle both. We get several bites and tastes from the relationships of Merit and Zoe, but we won't know, until the end of the movie, what exactly went wrong and how Zoe ended her life. The reveal will be kind of a surprise and will change the way you think about the movie.

This twist doesn't matter as far as it goes for the core of the film. PTSD handling through several generations and the way people are handling their trauma and the way the state helps them to handle it. Its not an incident that Kyle Hausmann-Stokes chose a grandfather and his granddaughter, that are both military veterans, as the objects of the movie.

Each of them handles different types of trauma; both are repressing it in different ways and both and both have different sets of tools to deal with the reality that is forced from their military scars. Of course, the movie lightens the vibe a little bit by shoving inside a romantic story, but in the right amount to make it relevant and delicate to make it good comedy, well blended in with the serious and heavy drama.

The side story about Alzheimer is another reminder for us that there are also other issues that can take place in regular's people lives. And once again, though this movie feels like 16 tons of heavyweight drama, I got out with a smile and a tear, because it handled all subjects so well and with such gentle care, that it just couldn't go wrong in any way.

Sonequa Martin-Green is such a great surprise. Didn't know her and never heard about her. She does such a fantastic job in this film. Natalie Morales also makes good work, as her deputy, but doesn't get close to the drama peaks Martin-Green gets to. Morgan Freeman does what he always does - narrates the movie without actually narrating it and Ed Harris is superb as the grumpy grandad.

I had expected other things from this movie and got such a lovely film, that caught me by surprise. It wasn't long and was pretty accurate on so many levels. It speaks about such important subjects, and it is a must watch, not too heavy and almost a feel-good movie, that will melt several hearts through the process.

The positive reviews and the unique general concept intrigued me enough to convince me to see "My Dead Friend Zoe." What could go wrong with a dramedy about a war veteran who sees her dead army friend? I knew nothing would go wrong, but I'm surprised it's way more complex, thought-provoking, emotionally moving, and mesmerizing.

First, the performances were incredible. Legends Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris were almost guaranteed to deliver, but the central duo - Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales as Merit and the titular Zoe - bring outstanding work. Merit is a tragic figure attempting to move on with her life post-war, which is uprooted by the simple fact that she sees the movie's namesake. Who I expected to be a hilarious character was to an extent, but Zoe's more than just that. That said, Morales outshines Martin-Green by being incredibly entertaining.

Next, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes does fantastic work directing- and script-wise alongside A. J. Bermudez and Cherish Chen. Their work makes the narrative much more simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking than it had any right to be, and it's more the latter. They didn't mess around in developing the seemingly silly premise into a strong piece that covers topics like PTSD. Even Zoe's inclusion and ensuing backstory are more shocking than I ever anticipated. I can't spoil it, as not knowing it beforehand will enhance the gut punch hinted at throughout the film.

Though it inarguably is a dramedy, it's more of a drama than a comedy. Admittedly, there are many solid jokes, mainly from Zoe, but the drama makes this movie what it is. Completely leaning into the comedic qualities would've lessened its overall impact.

Finally, the 1-hour and 43-minute runtime never wastes or bores. Every moment enriches the already rich narrative and its effect on others, which I appreciate immensely.

"My Dead Friend Zoe" should've made the Top 10 during its opening weekend because it deserved it. It's worthy of your attention for its uniqueness alone, but its unanticipated direction will grip you.

Technically, the acting, directing, and screenplay make for a 10/10 technical score.

For the enjoyment score, I loved it! It's far from an easy watch, but it's worth it for its authentic heart and earnest depiction of PTSD. As a bonus, Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales are so exceptional as Merit and Zoe that they make this a must-watch alone. For those reasons, "My Dead Friend Zoe" gets a 10/10 enjoyment score! Please check this gem out in theaters!

These are the kind of thoughtful movies that are now shoved aside by blockbuster franchises and empty tripe like Mickey 17. Sonequa Martin- Green is an Army veteran still speaking to her dead friend Natalie Morales for unspecified reasons while dealing with the early onset Alzheimer's of her grandfather (Ed Harris). The film meanders, and a possible romance with a jovial nursing home worker doesn't really amount to anything, but the film has important things to say about issues plaguing our country's veterans, and with Trump trying to erase all evidence of women in uniform, Green appearing in khakis is a powerful statement unto itself. A movie that will stay with you.

While I can understand why some might have a real connection to this movie and rate it a 10 for that reason (ie you served in the military (thank you for your service), lost someone close to you, or had to deal with putting an elderly family member in an assisted living home against their will), this movie isn't an Oscar worthy film. At the same time it isn't a "1" , worth walking out on, not by a long shot.

Like many I saw this movie as it was playing as the Screen Unseen, Monday movie of the week (love this idea by the way). The script is ok, not terribly deep or thought provoking. There are some cute, funny moments scattered about, but not sure I'd put this in the dark comedy category.

Morgan Freeman isn't used very effectively as some scenes cried out for more interaction between him and the lead character. Without that character depth, anyone could have played that role as meaningfully as he did, which wasn't very.

The ending could have used a little more fleshing out of some details to really deliver. It wasn't bad, and it gets its point across just fine. But overall that's what this movie is, it's just there and it's just fine. That's not a terrible thing, but it's not an amazing thing either.

That said, I am glad I saw it and I enjoyed it.

Yes it is a movie about veterans but it is not just about that, for me till the first half it was like omg not this same old story again specially I was watching the movie in a film festival but secondly half movie started to reveal more details and it was ooohhh thats different and nice, director made an amazing job you will feel his touches in a lot of things. Big shout out for Natalie Morales amazing acting, I loved every scene she was in. I would have loved if the movie main characters was males just because of the stereotype of men should be strong and control feelings bla bla bla which lead eventually men not revealing there emotions, but director had a fair point of why main characters were women.