My Dead Friend Zoe

In Afghanistan, two army mechanics, Merit Charles and Zoe Ramirez, are seen sharing a moment in their van while listening to 'Umbrella' on Zoe’s broken iPod. Their time is interrupted by SPC Lewis, but they confidently stand their ground, dismissing him.

In the present day, Merit attends a support group for veterans, where the atmosphere is tense. During the session, Zoe's presence manifests, prompting Merit to reflect on the group's purpose amid a breakdown caused by a fellow veteran's turn to speak.

Despite living alone, Merit begins to hallucinate that Zoe is still present in her life, complicating her ability to move on. These visions hinder her from confronting the past and seeking healing in the group therapy process.

Merit's mother, Kris, calls to inform her that her grandfather, Dale, has wandered off. When Merit finds him, they visit the doctor, who diagnoses Dale with early Alzheimer’s, prompting Merit to decide to stay with him until alternative arrangements can be made.

Throughout the therapy sessions, Merit resists discussing her past with Zoe, triggered by painful memories. The ghost of Zoe appears to discourage her from confronting the truth, making it challenging for Dr. Cole to support her in the program.

While out on a run, Merit encounters Alex, who is tending to a cemetery where he has family buried. Their conversation about the graveslightly shifts her perspective, as she reflects on her own experiences with loss.

Merit remembers discussing their futures with Zoe, who feels aimless and considers re-enlisting. Merit desperately tries to encourage Zoe to find hope in life after the military while grappling with her own fears for her friend.

After visiting Shady Acres, the retirement home where her grandfather might stay, Merit finds herself bonding with Alex, the manager. They go out for drinks but a conversation about her military past causes her to flee, haunted by visions of Zoe.

In an effort to connect with her grandfather, Merit takes Dale out on a boat after years of neglect since his wife's death. They discuss their struggles, and Merit opens up about her own PTSD, only to be met with Dale's views from a different era.

At a Fourth of July celebration for veterans, a seemingly perfect day takes a turn when Alex's presence triggers conflict. Dale's realization about Alex's connection to the retirement home leads to anger and betrayal, causing a rift.

Following the incident with Alex, Merit returns home to find her mother upset with her for not divulging critical information about Dale's well-being. Tensions rise as Kris pushes for Dale to be placed in Shady Acres, causing a fracture in their family dynamics.

Merit runs through the cemetery, haunted by Zoe's specter, which leads her to recall a critical night in Afghanistan. Their argument illustrates Zoe's despair and ends with a haunting realization of her tragic fate, deepening Merit's guilt.

Returning to Shady Acres, Merit confronts her feelings and stops her mother from finalizing Dale's placement. She seeks Alexander out, allowing herself to reconnect and heal, recognizing the importance of this new relationship in her life.

Merit makes a bold choice by proposing to live with Dale to help him through his challenges as she continues her journey toward recovery. This decision shows her growth and willingness to take accountability for her family's well-being.

Finally back at the group therapy session, Merit gathers the courage to share Zoe's story, marking a significant step in her healing process. The revelation of her past symbolizes her transition from guilt to acceptance and the beginning of healing.