My Dead Friend Zoe star Sonequa Martin-Green thinks it is quite important that the ending of the film takes you by surprise.
Sonequa Martin-Green was pitched My Dead Friend Zoe as a movie that will save lives, and I have to one-hundred-percent agree with that. It perfectly combines humor and heart while also delivering important messages and shining a light on the struggles of mental health and PTSD.
We spoke with Martin-Green about this film, in particular the shocking ending. She also reveals if she has met Executive Producer Travis Kelce yet. Warning: Spoilers Ahead for My Dead Friend Zoe.
My Dead Friend Zoe Ending Explained By Sonequa Martin-Green
“I think it’s actually quite important that it takes you by surprise.”
Tessa Smith: What was your reaction when you first read the ending and what happends to Zoe?
Sonequa Martin-Green: Well, I knew what happened before I even read the script. I knew what the story was because this was Kyle [Hausmann-Stokes]’ life. But I did think that it was handled so cleverly, but also gently with the way it is revealed in the film. I thought that was quite brilliant. I’ve got to big up Ali Greer, our editor for that as well. Because I think it’s actually quite important that it takes you by surprise. I think when that happens, I think it busts you open to then receive the climactic moment right after it, without spoiling anything.
Hopefully My Dead Friend Zoe Will Save Lives
“This film is really hopefully a source of encouragement to veterans and non-veterans alike to open up and talk about it.”
Tessa Smith: Hopefully after watching My Dead Friend Zoe people will feel more open to talking about their struggles, and reaching out to friends who are struggling. Can you talk about the importance of showcasing that in this form?
Sonequa Martin-Green: This is a veteran story, so it’s specific to veterans, but it is also universal. Many people see themselves, whether you served or not, right? But as it relates to veterans, what they go through is, a lot of times, it’s not very human. They come home and they’ve got all of this pain.They’ve got all of these confusing emotions and issues that they’re dealing with and they do need to talk about it, but a lot of times they don’t. This film is really hopefully a source of encouragement to veterans and non-veterans alike to open up and talk about it, because that’s how you begin your journey of healing, is by finally opening up. And like you said too, it’s also about listening because hopefully we’ll encourage people to listen better to our veterans and listen better to those that we know that are hurting.
She Hasn’t Met Executive Producer Travis Kelce…Yet
“We’re super grateful for him and hopefully we will be able to cross paths with him soon.”
Tessa Smith: I am a big Swiftie so I cannot let you go without asking if you got to meet Travis Kelce.
Sonequa Martin-Green: You know what? We did not meet him yet, but he’s been recently talking a lot about the film, which is really amazing. It’s been so encouraging to hear his take on it and hear him share his thoughts on it. Of course we wouldn’t have been able to it [without Travis Kelce]. Every dollar counted. This was the little indie film that could, right? So we’re super grateful for him and hopefully we will be able to cross paths with him soon.
Be sure to watch our full interview with Sonequa Martin-Green to learn more about her connection with Natalie Morales and what she hopes My Dead Friend Zoe means to others.
NEXT: My Dead Friend Zoe Review: A Heartwrenching & Heartwarming Film
About My Dead Friend Zoe
MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE is a dark comedy drama that follows the journey of Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who is at odds with her family thanks to the presence of Zoe (Natalie Morales), her dead best friend from the Army. Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor (Morgan Freeman), the tough love of her mother (Gloria Reuben) and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit’s cozy-dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world.
That is until Merit’s estranged grandfather (Ed Harris) — holed up at the family’s ancestral lake house — begins to lose his way and needs the one thing he refuses… help. At its core, this is a buddy film about a complicated friendship, a divided family, and the complex ways in which we process grief.
My Dead Friend Zoe is in theaters now.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.