'Voicemails for Isabelle' Review
- Connor Petrey
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Release Date: 06/19/26 [Netflix]
Genre: Comedy. Drama. Romance.
MPAA: Rated TV14.
Distributor: Netflix.
The Verdict: A Must-See
A sign of a good romantic comedy is the immense comfort you feel as the film winds down, a feeling you hope never leaves. Voicemails for Isabelle will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on all forms of love and affection.
Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, the story follows Jill (Zoey Deutch) as she attempts to navigate her career, love life, and mental stability after her sister passes away suddenly. To deal with her grief, Jill leaves voicemails to her sister as though she were still alive, not knowing that Wes (Nick Robinson) is on the other end. Wes is a realtor who quickly falls for Jill through her voicemails, ultimately finding a reason to go to San Francisco for his job to have a meet-cute.
The real estate plot doesn’t significantly impact the overall story, serving mainly as a device for later developments. The culinary subplot holds a stronger place in this story, featuring a fun competitive angle where a team of chefs tries to impress the arrogant head chef played by Nick Offerman. Plus, an assortment of supporting characters brings a vibrant flair to the film, ranging from a suave podcast host and a vengeful coworker to a couple who exemplify love by wanting the best for Wes.
The encompassing romance is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Deutch and Robinson have immaculate chemistry, and while he may not be Tom Hanks (an inside joke from the film), Robinson is an easy charmer. Deutch brings a sense of devastation to her performance as she maneuvers the concept of venting to her sister into the ethos of the old number.
