Films about veterans returning from war with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) isn’t a new thing. Coming Home (1978), Thank You For Your Service (2017), The Hurt Locker (2009) and The Deer Hunter (1979) are just a few. Now added to that list, but with a twist, is My Dead Friend Zoe.

Sonequa Martin-Green plays Merit, an US Army Afghan veteran who has returned home traumatised by the death of her closest friend and army buddy Zoe (Natalie Morales). Struggling to return to a normal life she sees and speaks to Zoe as if she was still alive.

As well as dealing with her own mental health issues, she reluctantly attends counselling sessions taken by Dr Cole (Morgan Freeman), Merit has to care for her cantankerous father (Ed Harris) who has just been diagnosed with dementia.

Based partly on a true story director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, who also wrote the script along with Cherish Chen, keeps the story from getting over sentimental plus the audience is kept guessing as to the cause of Zoes death right up until the final scene. Flashbacks litter the film but other than showing how close the two friends were never really propel the story forward. By far the most interesting arc is Merit’s relationship with her father.

Performances are all terrific with Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales being practically good.

My Dead Friend Zoe might not bring anything new to the table when it comes to dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder but as a piece of solid entertainment it comes highly recommended.