My Dead Friend Zoe Explained

My Dead Friend Zoe
Director:	Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
Screenplay:	Kyle Hausmann-Stokes A. J. Bermudez
Starring:	Sonequa Martin-Green Natalie Morales Ed Harris Morgan Freeman Gloria Reuben Utkarsh Ambudkar
Distributor:	Briarcliff Entertainment^[1]
Country:	United States
Language:	English

My Dead Friend Zoe is a 2024 American war comedy-drama film written by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and A. J. Bermudez, directed by Hausmann-Stokes and starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Gloria Reuben and Utkarsh Ambudkar. It is based on Hausmann-Stokes's short film Merit x Zoe. It is also Hausmann-Stokes's feature directorial debut.^{[2] [3]} It premiered at South by Southwest on March 9, 2024, where it won the Audience Award, and is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 1, 2024, by Briarcliff Entertainment.^[4]

Cast

• 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
• Thom Tran^[5] as Rufus

Production

According to VARIETY, it's the first film ever to be financed using green energy tax credits under an innovative structure deployed by Mike Field and Ray Maiello at Radiant Media Studios (Maiello is also a producer on the film).^[6] Radiant Media Studios brought Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to the project as executive producer (Kelce's first production credit). Legion M co-financed under their crowdfunding model.

In May 2023, it was announced that Harris, Martin-Green, and Morales were cast in the film.^[2] In June 2023, it was announced that Freeman, Reuben, and Ambudkar were cast in the film.^[3] Filming occurred in Portland, Oregon, Forest Grove, Oregon and Molalla, Oregon in 2023.^[7]

In September 2023, it was announced that filming wrapped.^[8]

Awards and Reception

The film won the Audience Award in competition at SXSW in 2024 and its reception has been highly positive. The film has received critical acclaim from top critics. Variety, Deadline, IndieWire, Collider, Roger Ebert and Hollywood Reporter all published stellar reviews for the film after its SXSW World Premiere. My Dead Friend Zoe currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.^[9]

"My Dead Friend Zoe is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit" - Valerie Complex, Deadline

“Sonequa Martin-Green Is Giving One of the Year's Best Performances” - Matt Donato, Collider

“A powerful drama with a phenomenal performance at its core and another reminder that Ed Harris is one of our best living actors in its supporting cast.” – Brian Tallerico, Roger Ebert

Notes and References

1. Web site: Briarcliff Entertainment Buys SXSW Audience Award Winner 'My Dead Friend Zoe'. Variety. Brent. Lang. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024.
2. Web site: Grobar. Matt. Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green & Natalie Morales Board Dark Veteran Dramedy 'My Dead Friend Zoe'. May 17, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. October 17, 2023.
3. Web site: Grobar. Matt. Morgan Freeman, Gloria Reuben & Utkarsh Ambudkar Board Veteran Dramedy 'My Dead Friend Zoe'. June 27, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. October 17, 2023.
4. Web site: Complex . Valerie . 2024-01-10 . SXSW Lineup Sets 'The Fall Guy', '3 Body Problem' Among Fest's 2024 World Premieres As First Titles Revealed . 2024-01-11 . Deadline . en-US.
5. Web site: Gervasi. Alessia. Actor from Buffalo uses comedy to tell serious stories. September 29, 2023. WGRZ. October 20, 2023.
6. Web site: Siegel. Tatiana. 'Travis Kelce’s Debut as a Film Producer Is Also the First Movie Financed Using President Biden’s Green Energy Tax Credits (EXCLUSIVE)'. February 13, 2024. Variety. February 13, 2024.
7. Web site: Bourgeois. Michaela. Oregon-made film ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ set for world premiere at SXSW. KOIN. March 6, 2024.
8. Web site: Grobar. Matt. 'Star Trek: Discovery's Sonequa Martin-Green Inks With IAG. September 12, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. October 20, 2023.
9. Web site: My Dead Friend Zoe. March 11, 2024.