Jill is an aspiring baker who regularly calls her sick sister, Isabelle, to regale her with stories about her life. When Isabelle abruptly passes away, Jill continues to leave voicemails for her, unaware that Isabelle’s phone number has been reassigned to Wes, an Austin-based real estate agent.

I remember when Voicemails for Isabelle was first announced in 2019, with Hailee Steinfeld attached to star and Sharon Maguire directing. Later, the film was delayed until about 2025, when it was announced as a Netflix movie starring Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson. I’m a big fan of Zoey Deutch, who won me over in Set It Up (2018), and Nick Robinson was excellent in Love, Simon (2018), so this casting news was exciting to me.

The problem is that even with two promising leads, it doesn’t always translate to on-screen chemistry. So there’s always a bit of worry when going into a rom-com if the two actors can make you root for them. Thankfully, Deutch and Robinson do, and more. They share an undeniable spark that, despite the questionable reason behind their initial meeting, makes you want to see them achieve the happy ever after. Whether they’re sharing playful banter or navigating the film’s more heartbreaking moments, the pair create a natural rhythm that never feels forced.

I do appreciate that director Leah McKendrick gave Wes two friends – played by herself and Harry Shum – who immediately call him out for his “creepy” behavior while still being supportive. Not many rom-com friends do that enough! I also have to give a shoutout to Nick Offerman for his hilariously unhinged performance as Chef Bastien. Somehow, he still managed to make me laugh, even while being the absolute worst.

Voicemails for Isabelle is marketed as a romantic comedy, but its true focus is Jill’s relationship with her deceased sister, Isabelle (Ciara Bravo). Isabelle drives Jill’s ambitions and decisions, both before and after her death. This movie is about the deep bonds of sisterhood and how grief can shape our future. When Jill tells Wes that she doesn’t need a man; she just needs her sister back, the film makes its central theme clear: Jill must learn to let go and live for herself, regardless of the status of her love life.

That being said, there is a lot of hope to be found in Voicemails for Isabelle. It’s a really lovely movie about sisters, and it still delivers a romance that provides the emotional foundation, prompting us to invest not only in Wes and Jill’s journey, but also in the sense of loss, longing, and missed opportunities that drive the narrative.

After so many disappointing romantic comedies from Netflix, I was thrilled to find Voicemails for Isabelle back on the scale of Set It Up and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018). Let’s see if they can keep it up.

Watched: 06/24/2026
Notable Song: Dancing on My Own by Robyn