Voicemails for Isabelle

Jill (Zoey Deutch) is an aspiring baker living in San Francisco and working under the demanding Chef Bastien (Nick Offerman). Following the death of her sister Isabelle, Jill continues to leave messages on her old phone number as a way of processing her loss. Unbeknownst to her, the number has been reassigned to Austin-based real estate agent Wes (Nick Robinson), who gradually becomes invested in the life of the stranger on the other end of the voicemail.

As Jill navigates disappointing relationships, career frustrations and the challenge of moving forward after loss, Wes finds himself increasingly drawn into her world. When circumstances eventually bring them together in San Francisco, their shared Texas roots and growing connection begin to open the door to something neither of them expected.

Writer-director Leah McKendrick’s screenplay wears its influences proudly. There are traces of You’ve Got Mail, Jerry Maguire and even Chef woven throughout the narrative. Yet rather than feeling derivative, these familiar ingredients come together surprisingly well, much like one of Jill’s inventive dessert tacos. The result is a romantic comedy that feels comfortably familiar while still finding its own voice.

What ultimately elevates the film is the chemistry between Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson. Their performances balance humour, vulnerability and longing in a way that makes their relationship easy to invest in. Deutch, in particular, continues to demonstrate why she has become one of the genre’s most dependable leads, bringing warmth and authenticity to a character struggling to reconcile grief with hope.

The kitchen subplot also adds an enjoyable layer to the story, providing both visual appeal and a metaphor for Jill’s personal journey. While some of the dialogue occasionally feels as though it has been lifted from an earlier era of romantic filmmaking, that nostalgia ultimately works in the film’s favour. For audiences who long for the days when romance was built on conversation, connection and emotional risk, there is plenty here to enjoy.

Voicemails for Isabelle may not reinvent the romantic comedy, but it successfully captures the genre’s enduring appeal. It is a sweet, heartfelt tale of love, loss and second chances, served with a generous helping of tacos.

REEL DIALOGUE: How do we move forward after loss?

At its heart, Voicemails for Isabelle is not simply a romance. It is a story about grief. Jill’s inability to stop calling her sister’s number reflects a struggle that many people understand. When we lose someone we love, moving forward can feel impossible because letting go often feels like forgetting.

Yet grief is not something that can be rushed or ignored. It requires time, honesty and the support of others who are willing to walk alongside us.

The Bible offers comfort to those experiencing loss:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18

While pain may never fully disappear, God promises his presence in the midst of it. Through relationships, community and faith, healing can gradually begin. Like Jill, many people discover that moving forward does not mean leaving loved ones behind. Instead, it means learning how to carry their memory while embracing the future that still lies ahead.

Where to look for more details: Psalm 34:18; Matthew 5:4; Romans 12:15; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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