My Dead Friend Zoe (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
My Dead Friend Zoe is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, starring Natalie Morales as Zoe, Sonequa Martin-Green and Rich Paul. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide on a $2,000 budget. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Legion M
- Budget
- $2K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is My Dead Friend Zoe About?
The premise of My Dead Friend Zoe without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A female Afghanistan war veteran grapples with a mysterious connection to her deceased Army best friend. When she retreats to her family's lake house, tensions rise as she encounters her Vietnam veteran grandfather, leading to a complex and unsettling confrontation.
My Dead Friend Zoe Cast & Characters
Natalie Morales leads the cast as Zoe, with Sonequa Martin-Green as Merit and Rich Paul as SPC Lewis. Directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
-
Natalie Morales as Zoe - Sonequa Martin-Green as Merit
- Rich Paul as SPC Lewis
-
Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cole
Also Starring in My Dead Friend Zoe
· 16 more- Gloria Reuben Kris
- Ed Harris Dale
- Utkarsh Ambudkar Alex
- Drew Rausch Doctor
- Sandra Lee Soldier Singer
- Zeke Alton Group Therapy Veteran
- Kelsi Umeko Lawyer
- Barbara Lusch Conductor
- John-Peter Cruz SGT Gonzales
- James Bane Group Therapy Veteran
- Assia Lau'ren Group Therapy Veteran
- Thom Tran Group Therapy Veteran
- Alicia Borja Group Therapy Veteran
- Richard Milanesi Group Therapy Veteran
- Del Lewis Roy Purdy
- Erick Jason Sabino Choir Member
My Dead Friend Zoe Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave My Dead Friend Zoe 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
My Dead Friend Zoe Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, My Dead Friend Zoe presents a sincere but uneven narrative that resonates through its performances more than its pacing. While reviewers praise the film’s heartfelt examination of PTSD and commend its uniformly strong cast, some note a lack of narrative dynamism and uneven comedic tone. The direction is straightforward but at times struggles to sustain engagement over its modest runtime. Despite moments of mawkishness and pacing dips, the film’s earnestness and advocacy-driven approach leave a commendable, if imperfect, impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of Art & Craft, the film delivers competent but unadventurous direction and framing. Reviewers describe the filmmaking as straightforward and workmanlike, noting an honest presentation yet lacking in visual dynamism or stylistic flair. The modest visual approach maintains clarity but seldom elevates the material. Overall, the craftsmanship is proficient yet subdued.
- Character & Emotion 80
In terms of Character & Emotion, the ensemble performances anchor the film with depth and sincerity. Critics highlight the finely tuned portrayals by Sonequa Martin-Green, Morgan Freeman, and Natalie Morales, praising the emotional authenticity and chemistry. These nuanced performances sustain the film’s heartfelt tone. Overall, the character work is a standout element.
- Story & Flow 65
In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative offers a heartfelt examination of PTSD but occasionally falters in pacing and tonal balance. Some reviewers note uneven comedic beats and a modest runtime that struggles with momentum, even as others appreciate its advocacy-driven script. Overall, the story is earnest yet unevenly paced.
- Sensory Experience 65
In terms of Sensory Experience, the film employs a restrained audiovisual approach that supports its intimate tone. The understated sound design and unobtrusive score underscore emotional moments without drawing attention to themselves. Visually, the straightforward style favors clarity over flair, resulting in a cohesive but modest sensory palette. Overall, the sensory elements serve the material effectively.
- Rewatch Factor 60
In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers meaningful emotional beats but limited novelty upon subsequent viewings. While the advocacy-driven themes and sincere performances maintain their impact, the straightforward narrative and measured pacing may reduce incentive for repeated engagement. Audiences seeking heartfelt resonance may revisit the film, but its modest stylistic scope limits replay value. Overall, the rewatch potential is moderate.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 95%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 8.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
11235 ratings
See on Letterboxd
My Dead Friend Zoe Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in My Dead Friend Zoe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 2016, in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, two army mechanics, Merit Charles and Zoe Ramirez, find themselves in a van, listening to Rihanna’s catchy tune “Umbrella” blaring from Zoe’s malfunctioning iPod. Their moment of music is soon interrupted by SPC Lewis ([Rich Paul]), but both women firmly tell him to back off. Fast forward to the present day, where Merit is now attending a court-ordered support group for veterans, accompanied by a ghostly presence of Zoe, who appears only to Merit. As the session progresses, Zoe rises, seemingly to address the group’s purpose, but Merit is jolted back to the cold reality by Dr. Cole ([Morgan Freeman]), the group’s director.
Full summary
The whole story of My Dead Friend Zoe, scene by scene, with the ending explained
My Dead Friend Zoe Box Office & Budget
My Dead Friend Zoe grossed $1.3 million worldwide on a $2,000 budget. $1.3 million came from the US and Canada and $14,460 (1%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.3M
- US & Canada
- $1.3M
- International
- $14.5K
- Budget
- $2K
My Dead Friend Zoe Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Clip Merit Comes Back To Pay Her Respects
- Behind the Scenes A Veteran's Journey - The Making of MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE
How Well Do You Know My Dead Friend Zoe?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What song do Merit and Zoe listen to in the van?
Cars in My Dead Friend Zoe
7 cars on screen, including the 2014 Subaru Forester and the AM General HMMWV.
-
2014 Subaru Forester Main role -
AM General HMMWV Important role -
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minor role -
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Typ CA Minor role
My Dead Friend Zoe Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “我死去的朋友佐伊” and “내 죽은 친구 조이”.
- Also known as
-
- 我死去的朋友佐伊
- 내 죽은 친구 조이
- La mia amica Zoe
- 我死掉的朋友佐伊
- Моя мёртвая подруга Зои
- زوئی دوست بی جان من
- Moja mrtva prijateljica Zoe
- החברה המתה שלי
- זואי
- Zoe
- Minha Amiga Morta
- Zoe, mi amiga muerta
Seen My Dead Friend Zoe?
Articles About My Dead Friend Zoe
Our article about My Dead Friend Zoe: “My Dead Friend Zoe (2025) Review: Analyzing Fan and Critic Opinions on Reception”.
-
Opinions
My Dead Friend Zoe FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of My Dead Friend Zoe, each answered in a sentence.
How long is My Dead Friend Zoe?
My Dead Friend Zoe runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was My Dead Friend Zoe released?
My Dead Friend Zoe was released on February 28, 2025.
Who directed My Dead Friend Zoe?
My Dead Friend Zoe was directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes.
Who is in the cast of My Dead Friend Zoe?
My Dead Friend Zoe stars Natalie Morales as Zoe, Sonequa Martin-Green as Merit and Rich Paul as SPC Lewis, among 20 credited actors.
How much did My Dead Friend Zoe make at the box office?
My Dead Friend Zoe grossed $1.3 million worldwide ($1.3 million domestic, $14,460 international) on a budget of $2,000.
How is My Dead Friend Zoe rated?
My Dead Friend Zoe has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic, 63% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
Does My Dead Friend Zoe have a post-credit scene?
No. My Dead Friend Zoe has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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