My Dead Friend Zoe (2024)★ 6.6/10

The beginning is its strongest, skillfully establishing camaraderie and loss while exploring trauma with subtlety. Yet the title itself gives away too much, undercutting the emotional weight of the opening. The inclusion of a special message and donation QR code at the end feels intrusive, making the closing notes less effective.

Instead of focusing on the brutality of war, the film centers on Merit’s grief, her struggle with PTSD, and her bond with her Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather. The pacing and emotional beats are handled with care, yet the film ultimately feels restrained, leaving little lingering impact beyond its closing moments.