The Voicemails in Voicemails for Isabelle Were Real

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A man leans in close to a smiling woman, his hand cupped gently around her face, as strings of colorful lights blur warmly in the background behind them.

Leah McKendrick wrote the script for Voicemails for Isabelle in two weeks, straight from her actual voicemails to her sister. She was a struggling TV writer, leaving voice messages about bad dates and jobs she didn't get. A producer friend read it, sent it to Sony, and it sold in days. It landed on the Black List.

Then it sat for six years. The Bridget Jones's Diary director was attached. Hailee Steinfeld was set to star. That version fell apart. McKendrick took it back.

She directed it for Netflix with Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson. Sony had made her change the lead's job from TV writer to pastry chef. She wrote personal letters to Taylor Swift and Robyn to get their music in the film.

It hit No. 1 its first weekend on Netflix. Eight years after she wrote it. People on Backlot are watching it this month.

Quick Facts

The Voicemails in Voicemails for Isabelle Were Real

DirectorLeah McKendrick

CastZoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Ciara Bravo, Nick Offerman, Leah McKendrick, Harry Shum Jr.

GenreRomance, Comedy

Release2026-06-20

Runtime119 min

Rated8.4/10

Instagram caption

Leah McKendrick wrote this script from her own voicemails to her sister. It sat on the Black List for years before she finally got to direct it herself. Now it's No. 1 on Netflix. #VoicemailsForIsabelle #Backlot

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Leah McKendrick wrote Voicemails for Isabelle from her actual voicemails to her sister. It sat on the Black List for six years. Now it's No. 1 on Netflix. #VoicemailsForIsabelle #Backlot

Then it sat for six years. The Bridget Jones's Diary director was attached. Hailee Steinfeld was set to star. That version fell apart. McKendrick took it back.

It hit No. 1 its first weekend on Netflix. Eight years after she wrote it. People on Backlot are watching it this month.