My Dead Friend Zoe Christian Review

So this My Dead Friend Zoe is a film that talks about grief and loss, but in what way? With a twist of dark comedy. And by the way, this is not a typical sad, heavy film that just fills you with grief. No, this film is trying to make that grief a little lighter, and it feels good too. Grief has been shown so raw and honest, that it can be quite relatable for those of us who want to understand our emotions.

Talking about the story, Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) is an Army veteran who is returning from Afghanistan and talking to her best friend Zoe (Natalie Morales)… but plot twist – Zoe is dead. Yes, you heard it right. And Zoe’s presence is quite interesting, because she is alive only for Merit, and in this way grief is shown from a unique angle. Then Merit’s separation from her family, and especially having a strange relationship with her grandfather (Ed Harris), is all very emotionally complex. This film comes out of the same place where the distance between grief and family has to be shown.

If I speak from my Christian perspective, the film resonates a lot. I’m not saying this is a religious film, but the theme of healing and forgiveness naturally goes in that direction. Merit tries to understand her emotions and deal with her family, and this process is quite emotional and impactful. Plus, Morgan Freeman’s role as the VA counselor, he is such a wise and calm figure who helps the protagonist understand his life.

And what to say about the dark comedy? The tone of the film is quite subtle – it also adds light moments that help you handle your emotional intensity a little, but the story is never taken lightly. The family dynamic is quite messed up, but the message of acceptance and understanding in it is quite powerful. This film reminds us that if the right people are with us, we can process our grief, no matter how tough they are.

Now this film is not for everyone, especially if you find it a little uncomfortable to watch death and grief with humour. So if you feel that grief should only be serious, you might find it a little strange. But if you are open-minded and want a little depth and humour, then this movie is worth watching.

Rating: 4/5 Stars. I gave this movie 4 stars because the performances are very strong – Sonequa Martin-Green, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman bring life to their roles. The tone of the movie is very unique and explores the themes of grief and healing well. The dark comedy is a refreshing element, and the deep messages given about forgiveness and healing are very important. Yes, maybe there could have been a little more spiritual depth, but this film delivers its core themes quite well.