Films

Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson star in new romcom ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’

A side-by-side comparison of two film stills from Voicemails for Isabelle. The left panel shows Nick Robinson’s character in a dark coat standing in the rain, looking upwards with an anxious expression as fireworks erupt in the background. The right panel shows co-lead Zoey Deutch in a dark, long-sleeved top sitting at a table, looking thoughtfully at a single lit birthday candle stuck into a taco she is holding.

The new trailer for Voicemails for Isabelle dropped earlier this week ahead of its release on Netflix on 19 June. 

Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson have an unlikely meet-cute by voicemail, which sparks up a romance, but not without some bumps along the way. 

Film News Blitz writer Bella Ford takes a look at what makes the central relationship in this film tick.

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Both actors told PEOPLE that they have known each other since they were teenagers. 

Robinson said, “Working with Zoey was easy, she makes it all seem so effortless and fun, and she’s a really dedicated performer and artist. Plus she’s funny.”

Deutch said in return that getting to act with Robinson onscreen “was such a joy”. 

Leah McKendrick (writer/director) said that the film is actually inspired by her relationship with her “real life sister”. 

She said, “My most horrific, humiliating experiences feel worthwhile if they can make her laugh. I learnt early on that boys will come and go but sisterhood is forever.”

McKendrick also said to Tudum that Robinson is perfect for the lead role. 

“There’s a genuine sensitivity to him, on and off screen. And that smile! We’d all follow him everywhere”

She was also really positive about Zoey too: “Jill’s journey spans from dark, debilitating grief to tingly Lover-era T-swift new romance, we always knew we needed an actor who was disarming and hilarious, yet excruciatingly raw.”

What do we see in the ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ trailer?

In the trailer, Wes (Robinson) has gotten Jill’s (Deutch) sister’s old phone number, and starts listening to Jill’s voicemails that she leaves for her; obviously, she doesn’t realise the number has been changed.

It’s then explained that her sister died, and it’s her way of coping by leaving them. 

This is followed by a meeting on a park bench, in an awkward encounter and confession, but it gets even more complicated as Wes puts off deciding to tell Jill how he really got to know her in secret. 

The idea was first pitched back in 2019, with Hailee Steinfeld originally going to play the lead role. 

Back then, Sony carried the project but was eventually included in the 2019 Black List, the roundup of the ‘best unproduced scripts’. 

The project now has a permanent home at Netflix, and it is set to release the romcom next month.

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