Voicemails for Isabelle is the latest Netflix "sad-com" to conquer the teen algorithm, and it sits in that uncomfortable middle ground between a genuinely moving story about grief and a total "stop-everything-you're-doing" boundary violation. It’s the kind of movie that will have your middle schooler crying into a pint of ice cream while you’re in the next room wondering why the "romantic" lead is basically hacking into a dead girl’s phone.
TL;DR: Voicemails for Isabelle is a viral Netflix rom-com starring Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson that deals with heavy themes of grief and loss. While it’s emotionally resonant for teens, parents should be ready to talk about the "privacy" plot—where the protagonist listens to private voicemails—and whether that’s actually romantic or just plain creepy. If your kid loves this vibe, check out our best movies for kids list for more (and maybe slightly less ethically murky) teen dramas.
The premise is pure Gen Z catnip: Isabelle (Zoey Deutch) has passed away, and her friends and family continue to leave her voicemails as a way to cope with the silence. Enter the love interest (Nick Robinson), who finds himself with access to these recordings. What follows is a "connection across the void" story that leans heavily into the "sad girl" aesthetic that dominates TikTok right now.
It’s moody, it’s beautifully shot, and it treats teen emotions with a level of gravity that kids in this age bracket (11-15) really respond to. They don't want to be talked down to; they want to feel like their big feelings are seen. This movie does that in spades.
Here is where the "intentional parent" part of your brain is going to start itching. The central romantic engine of the film relies on the male lead listening to private messages that weren't meant for him. In the world of Netflix rom-coms, this is framed as "getting to know her soul." In the real world, it’s a massive invasion of privacy that would usually land you in a therapist's office or a courtroom.
We’ve seen this trope before (looking at you, You or Twilight), where obsessive behavior is rebranded as "intense love." Because Voicemails for Isabelle is so sweet and the actors are so likable, the "creepy" factor is easy to miss. It’s the perfect opening to talk about digital boundaries. If your kid thinks it’s "goals" that he listened to her private thoughts, it’s worth asking: If someone went through your deleted texts after you moved away, would that feel like love or like a violation?
Beyond the privacy issues, the movie is a heavy lift emotionally. It doesn't shy away from the messy, non-linear nature of grief. It shows people being angry, being numb, and doing weird things to feel close to someone they lost.
For a kid who hasn't experienced a major loss, it’s a masterclass in empathy. For a kid who has, it might be a lot. This isn't a "background noise" movie. If they’re watching it, they’re in it.
If your kid is currently in their "emotional drama" era, don't just leave them with the Netflix algorithm—it'll just feed them more of the same. Mix it up with some titles that hit the same emotional notes but maybe offer a bit more perspective.
- For the "Love and Loss" fix: The Fault in Our Stars is the gold standard here. It’s just as much of a tear-jerker but handles the agency of the characters a bit better.
- For a gentler take on connection: A Short Hike is a gorgeous, low-stress game about reaching the top of a mountain to get cell service. It deals with the "waiting for a call" anxiety in a way that’s actually healthy and peaceful.
- For better digital boundaries: Eighth Grade isn't a rom-com, but it’s the most honest depiction of how phones and privacy actually work in a teen's life.
- For the "Sad Girl" reader: If they’d rather read than watch, point them toward our best books for kids list for YA titles that handle these themes with a bit more nuance.
The biggest friction point isn't the "creepy" plot—it's the emotional hangover. This is a "stay up late talking about it" movie, not a "go straight to sleep" movie. If they watch it on a school night, expect them to be a bit of a zombie the next morning, not from the screen time, but from the emotional processing.
Pro-tip: If they’re watching this with friends, the "privacy" conversation is actually easier. Ask the group: "Which character was the most out of line?" Teens love a debate, and they’ll usually call out the creepy behavior themselves if you give them the floor.
Q: What age is Voicemails for Isabelle appropriate for?
It’s firmly in the 13+ camp. While there isn't much in the way of "hard" content (heavy gore or graphic scenes), the emotional maturity required to process the themes of death and the questionable ethics of the romance makes it a better fit for middle and high schoolers.
Q: Is Voicemails for Isabelle ok for a 10 year old?
It’s likely going to be a bit too heavy and "slow" for most 10-year-olds. The romantic tension is built on internal monologue and grief, which usually doesn't click until those early teen years. If they do watch, be ready to explain why everyone is crying.
Q: What are the content warnings for Voicemails for Isabelle?
The big ones are grief, death of a peer, and some mild language. The "privacy" plot involves the male lead listening to private messages without consent, which can be a trigger for kids sensitive to stalking or boundary issues.
Q: Is there a book version of Voicemails for Isabelle?
While many Netflix teen hits are based on YA novels, this one is a Netflix original. However, it shares a lot of DNA with books like If I Stay or Thirteen Reasons Why. For better alternatives, check out our digital guide for middle school.
Voicemails for Isabelle is a well-acted, high-gloss tear-jerker that captures the current teen zeitgeist perfectly. It’s not "dangerous," but it is a bit intellectually lazy regarding privacy and consent. Watch it with them, let them have their cry, and then ask the one question that matters: "Would you actually want a guy to do that to you?"
- Explore our best shows for kids for more binge-worthy teen drama.
- Check out the digital guide for high school if your teen is aging out of the "sad-com" phase and into something more complex.
- Find more movies like Voicemails for Isabelle
