Netflix has captivated rom-com fans with its latest release, Voicemails for Isabelle. Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, the film has been hailed as "perfect" and "the best rom-com in years," scoring a 91 per cent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and claiming the number one spot on Netflix's Top 10 chart.
Zoey Deutch stars as Jill, who copes with the loss of her sister, Isabelle, by leaving her confessional voicemails about her chaotic life in San Francisco. But when the number is reassigned without her knowing, Wes (Nick Robinson), an elusive Texas real estate agent, begins receiving the messages and starts to fall for Jill from afar.
© COURTESY OF NETFLIXSince the release of 2023's Anyone But You, which helped to revive the genre following a slight slump in the 2010s, rom-coms have had a huge resurgence - and Voicemails for Isabelle appears to be the latest must-watch entry in this new wave.
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the series.
What is Voicemails for Isabelle about?
The film follows Jill, an aspiring baker who copes with her sister Isabelle's (Ciara Bravo) sudden death from cystic fibrosis by continuing to leave voicemails on her phone. But when Isabelle's number is reassigned to Texas estate agent Wes, he starts to fall in love with her.
Who else stars in the film?
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) plays Jill's boss, Chef Bastien, while Lukas Gage (Euphoria) portrays a regrettable one-night stand, Arthur, Harry Shum Jr. (Glee) plays Wes's best friend, Andy, and Leah McKenrick (I Know What You Did Last Summer) plays Breeda.
© Diyah Pera/NetflixWhat have viewers said about the film?
Fans are flooding social media with praise, calling the film "excellent" and the "best romantic comedy in years".
One person wrote: "#voicemailsforisabelle was the most unexpectedly incredible, emotional rollercoaster," while another praised the chemistry between the two leads, adding: "Great chemistry between the leads. Proper rom com's are back. It deserved to be on the big screen."
What have critics said about the film?
Critical reception has been mixed. Empire awarded the film four stars, praising it as "charming" and "sweet," while The Times awarded it three stars, describing the film as "lush."
© Diyah Pera/NetflixElsewhere, The Guardian gave it two stars, critiquing a lack of "required charm" and arguing that the film's attempt to acknowledge the "uneasiness" of Wes's behaviour doesn't "make it any less uneasy".
Voicemails for Isabelle is available to stream on Netflix now.
