Key Facts
Netflix's latest romantic comedy, Voicemails for Isabelle, premiered on June 22, 2026, after nearly eight years of development. Starring Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson, the film follows Jill, a woman who leaves voicemails for her late sister Isabelle, only to have them received by a stranger named Wes. The movie features a surprising plot twist involving a rare Magic: The Gathering card.
Details: Last-Minute Changes and the Magic: The Gathering Twist
Director and writer Leah McKendrick revealed that several key scenes were added at the last minute, including the moment Wes finally attempts to confess he's been receiving Jill's voicemails. “You know the scene where he’s in the bathroom and he’s like gonna tell her and then he comes out and he’s sitting on the couch and he says it, he’s like, ‘I’ve been getting your voicemails’ — and she’s asleep? That was something that was added super last minute,” McKendrick told Variety.
Another major addition was the Magic: The Gathering subplot. Originally, Jill was supposed to have a breakdown at an Apple Store to retrieve her lost voicemails. The studio suggested Wes should be the one to recover them, requiring him to sacrifice something valuable. McKendrick initially considered a Pokémon card but eventually settled on a Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering. “I started learning about Magic: The Gathering, and realizing how expensive and rare some of these cards are,” she said. The rights were cleared just a day before shooting.
Impact: Audience Empathy and Character Development
McKendrick emphasized the importance of making Wes sympathetic despite his deception. She added multiple scenes showing his attempts to do the right thing, such as texting Jill and losing service. “It’s a series of missed connections, so that you can hopefully see that his heart is in the right place,” she explained. She credited Nick Robinson’s sincere performance for making Wes likable: “I think a lot what helped us, more than anything, was casting Nick Robinson, because he’s so sincere and he’s so genuine.”
Zoey Deutch highlighted the sisterly bond between Jill and Isabelle, which is the film's true love story. Isabelle, played by Ciara Bravo, had cystic fibrosis, leading the sisters to communicate primarily through voicemails. “Jill moved out of her parents’ home, and the sisters developed a routine of leaving each other very long voicemails,” Deutch said. “It reflects a little bit of the reality of the relationship too.”
What Readers Should Know
- The film underwent significant script changes during production, including the addition of the Magic: The Gathering card scene.
- McKendrick also appears in the film as Breeda, one of Wes' best friends, to foster a collaborative atmosphere on set.
- The movie explores themes of grief, sisterhood, and the power of voicemails as a form of connection.
FAQ
What is 'Voicemails for Isabelle' about?
It's a Netflix rom-com where Jill (Zoey Deutch) leaves voicemails for her deceased sister Isabelle, but a stranger named Wes (Nick Robinson) receives them, leading to an unexpected romance.
How was the Magic: The Gathering card scene added?
Director Leah McKendrick added the Black Lotus card as a last-minute plot device after the studio suggested Wes needed to sacrifice something valuable. She researched Magic: The Gathering and cleared the rights just before shooting.
Why does Wes not tell Jill he's getting her voicemails?
The script was revised to show Wes attempting to tell Jill multiple times, but missed connections prevent him. Director McKendrick added scenes to show his good intentions.
Who plays Isabelle in the film?
Ciara Bravo portrays Isabelle, Jill's younger sister who had cystic fibrosis. Her character's voicemails are central to the story.