As upsetting as it is to contemplate, suicide remains the leading cause of death for soldiers. More soldiers die by suicide post-war than die in war. More Iraq and Afghanistan War vets have taken their own lives than those they fought ever did. It's a staggering fact, and one that calls into question why more isn't done to protect those that risk life and limb protecting their country. It's particularly questionable in the US where their military culture appears to be the jewel in their crown.
What director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, himself a veteran of Iraq, does with My Dead Friend Zoe is to try to make palatable for an audience a painful fact – that soldiers are not alright. The film follows Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) who, following a work place incident, is forced by the courts to attend group therapy for war veterans. Instead of participating she leaves to care for her ailing grandfather Dale (Ed Harris) all the while being bothered by the ghost of her former military partner Zoe (Natalie Morales).
Martin-Green is a fantastic actress, be it fighting the undead in The Walking Dead or commanding an star ship in Star Trek: Discovery, she has always been able to portray an inner battle without ever falling into the trap of big emotions for the sake of it. This serves the story well, as despite some hints, we know a big revelation is coming in the film. What is smart is that director Hausmann-Stokes lays the seeds of this revelation before wrong footing you with what it is.
The film is at it's strongest when Martin-Green is able to grapple with her PTSD, either in the presence of her grandfather played with stern dignity by Ed Harris or with potential love interest Alex (Utkarsh Ambudkar). These elements do work well, the slightly rom-com meet-cute with Alex is very funny and cute, and Harris is able to create tension by just looking at someone. There is a serious point being made as well, about the reaction that Iraq veterans got vs Vietnam veterans. Harris delivers a moment of quiet devastation while describing his homecoming to Martin-Green. While a mid-film date with Alex that causes flashbacks allows the film to explore the difficultly of coming back to the world.
What doesn't entirely work is the titular dead friend. Natalie Morales is good as the surly, mean-spirited vision of Zoe, able to imbue her with the sardonic wit that makes you never tire of her interjections or cold jabs. While in flashbacks we get a better sense of who she is before her untimely – and mystery shrouded – death. But, the film doesn't obey it's own rules. If Zoe is a figment of Merit's imagination why is she able to move objects or interact with her surroundings. It also feels tacked on that Morgan Freeman plays the leader of the group therapy, given very little to do, despite being an actor of some gravitas.
But, it's hard not to respect the film for it's ambitions and it's heart. When it does away with the supernatural element, and simply deals with guilt and pain, it's a movingly honest look at what happens when soldiers come home, and how it connects them regardless of war or age. It's very much like Dito Montiel's ill-advised Man Down another film that tried to look at PTSD through a less than naturalistic lens. While this film isn't as badly thought out as that one, there is still an element that a straight drama, without the comedic ghost would have worked better.
Even so, Hausmann-Stokes' post-script is a sobering reminder that just because you leave the war zone doesn't mean the war has left you, and thanks to Martin-Green, this is a film of emotional strength.
My Dead Friend Zoe is in cinemas from February 28th
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