Netflix’s Voicemails for Isabelle wants to tell a very emotional story of grief, healing and unexpected love. There are some emotional moments and some heartfelt performances that do well in the film, but it does traverse a very worn-out formula that makes a lot of the journey feel familiar all the way through.
This story is about Jill, a young woman, learning to live with the devastating loss of her younger sister, Isabelle. Isabelle, who lived with cystic fibrosis, was unable to see the world with her own eyes for much of her life. Jill, to make up for those lost opportunities, embraced the spirit of adventure and shared those adventures with her sister through stories and memories.
Isabelle dies unexpectedly leaving Jill with an overwhelming sense of loss and guilt. She is unable to let go completely, so she continues to dial her sister’s old cell phone number, leaving messages about her daily life, major milestones and residual feelings she cannot share with anyone else.
It begins as a private coping mechanism but takes a turn when the number is reassigned to Wes. Wes doesn’t ignore the messages, he listens to them. Over time he becomes emotionally invested in the woman behind the voicemails and an unconventional connection develops and grows into something deeper.# The Old Story Retold
The premise of the film is certainly interesting. The idea of two strangers connecting with each other via messages for someone who is gone is an emotionally charged one, full of potential for meaningful narrative.
But after the setup, the story unfolds in a way that seems more and more predictable. Grief and unexpected love have long been paired in romantic dramas, and Voicemails for Isabelle rarely finds a fresh angle on that formula. Many of the major developments come right on cue for audiences, undercutting the impact of several emotional moments.
Jill and Wes’s relationship plays out in a way that is easy to predict. Their chemistry is charming enough, but the screenplay relies heavily on the familiar devices of obstacles and misunderstandings so common in similar movies.# Zoey Deutch On Carrying The Emotional Load
One of the biggest strengths of the film is definitely the performance by Zoey Deutch as Jill. She brings honesty and vulnerability to a character who is carrying a lot of emotional pain.
Jill’s story is not so much a love story as it is about learning to live with grief. The film finds her grappling with unresolved guilt over her sister’s death, and Deutch is effective in showing the complicated emotions that come with loss. Her performance gives the story a lot of the emotional credibility it needs.
The romance is the engine of the plot, but the most interesting story in the film is Jill’s personal healing process.# Wes Is More of a Plot Device
Nick Robinson does what he can as Wes but the character never quite rises above its narrative function. Wes often feels like a catalyst for Jill to confront her feelings, rather than a whole person.
The secret he’s hiding is the film’s main source of conflict but not complicated enough to make the story truly memorable. So, despite Robinson’s best efforts, Wes fails to make an impression that lasts.# Several Scenes Nick Offerman Steals
Nick Offerman is one of the movie’s best happy surprises. He’s an eccentric chef who brings a lot of energy and personality to the story whenever he’s on screen.
His character also provides a glimpse into the demanding, highly competitive culinary world, and some of the film’s lighter moments. Offerman brings warmth, charisma and depth to a supporting role that easily becomes one of the film’s highlights.# Several Key Moments Are Elevated By Strong Music
The soundtrack moves a lot of the emotional momentum of the movie. There are times when the pacing lags with scenes that feel unnecessary.
Several musical selections work well with the story, heightening romantic and dramatic moments. Even if the script falls back on familiar storytelling tropes, the score frequently works to create emotional resonance.# Final Judgment
Voicemails for Isabelle has the ingredients of a poignant and memorable romantic drama. It’s sincere in its depiction of grief and Zoey Deutch’s performance is compelling enough to keep viewers invested in Jill’s journey.
Unfortunately, the film hardly risks anything in its storytelling. Predictable plot developments and conventional romantic-drama beats keep it from standing out in an increasingly crowded genre.
There are touching moments, and performances you want to see, but Voicemails for Isabelle ultimately feels like a film that plays it safe, not one that dares to be original. For those looking for an emotional romance this may be worth a look but for those looking for something new this is unlikely to be it.
Rating: 3/5