My Dead Friend Zoe Tackles the Complexities of Veteran Grief

Q: What is My Dead Friend Zoe About?

My Dead Friend Zoe is about friendship, family, loss, humor, and heart. It is based around Kyle Hausman Stokes' experiences in the Army. The film highlights his personal friends, and draws from his experience with PTSD after leaving the military. The movie was created in honor of Stoke's friends in the service that he has lost. The movie follows a female Afghanistan Veteran who is engaged in a mysterious relationship with her dead best friend from the Army. When she comes back from Afghanistan, the young Army Vet comes head to head with her grandfather, who is a Vietnam Vet, at her family's ancestral lake house. Soon, she embarks on a journey of self discovery, coping with grief, and the struggles of going civilian live again after service. Learn more information about the cast, how Taylor Swift's boyfriend is involved, the release date and more!

Q: When Will the Movie be Released?

The film was originally set to be filmed in the Midwest, but a last-minute decision to film in Oregon switched up the filming location. The movie was filmed around Portland, Forest Grove, and Molalla during the summer of 2023. Right now, the film is receiving an outpour of support from the military community, and it is shining light on Veteran organizations across the U.S. Some of the organizations that are partnering with My Dead Friend Zoe are: the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Mission Continues, and the EveryTown for Gun Safety: Support Fund. The release date for My Dead Friend Zoe was March 9, 2024. The premier was at SXSW in Austin, Texas. If you haven’t seen the trailer click here. Don't miss the opportunity to see this new film bringing support and awareness to the unique challenges members of the military community face.Suggested reads: 15 Best Summer Vacation Locations Veterans Will Love Young Veterans Are Being Given Dangerous Military Civilian Jobs, Why? Civil War Movie (2024

By Jamie Lustig

Published: April 25, 2024 at 1:40 PM EDT

Updated: April 22, 2026 at 5:50 PM EDT

COMMENT

My Dead Friend Zoe Tackles the Complexities of Veteran Grief

My Dead Friend Zoe directed by Kyle Hausmann Stokes is a dark comedy drama that is about the journey of Merit, who is a U.S. Army Afghanistan Veteran having trouble with her family. Additionally, Merit struggles with having a good relationship with her mom. This is as she is having a hard time accepting her best friend's death. This is a film that deals with family complexities and a complicated friendship. I know you "swifties" are going to love this information, the film also counts Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs as one of its producers. Read below to gain more information about this upcoming film and the phenomenal cast.

Army Vet Kyle Hausmann Stokes Is Set to Direct

Kyle Hausmann Stokes is the director for the new film, My Dead Friend Zoe. Before Stokes became a film director, he served 5 years in the Army's Airborne Infantry, enlisting in the military one month before 9/11. Additionally, he served as a Squad Leader/Convoy Commander during a combat tour in Iraq, where he received a Bronze Star.Additionally, he is a big supporter of mental health, gun safety, and co-funds Veterans in Media & Entertainment, which is a non-profit organization that connects current and former members of the military to jobs in the entertainment industry. When asked about his goal for the film Stokes explained, “I hope that people come away from this film seeing Veterans in a deeper or more nuanced way. I think so often, in film and TV, we’re portrayed in these extremes of this larger-than-life hero that’s literally in combat or war.” He wants people to see Veterans as humans, not superheroes.

What is My Dead Friend Zoe About?

My Dead Friend Zoe is about friendship, family, loss, humor, and heart. It is based around Kyle Hausman Stokes' experiences in the Army. The film highlights his personal friends, and draws from his experience with PTSD after leaving the military. The movie was created in honor of Stoke's friends in the service that he has lost. The movie follows a female Afghanistan Veteran who is engaged in a mysterious relationship with her dead best friend from the Army. When she comes back from Afghanistan, the young Army Vet comes head to head with her grandfather, who is a Vietnam Vet, at her family's ancestral lake house. Soon, she embarks on a journey of self discovery, coping with grief, and the struggles of going civilian live again after service. Learn more information about the cast, how Taylor Swift's boyfriend is involved, the release date and more!

My Dead Friend Zoe Has an All-Star Cast

Here is the list of the cast and who will be playing who. If you know any of these actors get hyped, because they are in the upcoming film My Dead Friend Zoe. Morgan Freeman: Dr. Cole Natalie Morales: Zoe Ed Harris: Dale Utkarsh Ambudkar: Alex Gloria Reuben: Kris Sonqua Martin-Green: Merti Zeke Alton: Travis Drew Rausch: Dr. Stokes Thom Tran: Rufus James Bane: Dustin Kesli Umeko: Lawyer Rich Paul: Lewis John-Peter Cruz: Gonzalez As may some of you know, Sonqua Martin-Green who plays Merti, was also the main character in the television series Star Trek. She was also part of The Walking Dead, Space Jam, Army Wives, and many other movies.

Travis Kelce Is Making His Film Producer Debut

By now, everyone is sure to have heard the name Travis Kelce. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, recent Super Bowl winner, and boyfriend of Taylor Swift is adding another title to his name, director. That's right, Travis Kelce will be helping out with the production of My Dead Friend Zoe. You won’t be seeing him on screen, but just know he is helping out behind the scenes.