The scoring of Netflix's latest romantic comedy, 'Voicemails for Isabelle,' was a deeply personal journey for composers Este Haim and Amanda Yamate. While the film presents a romantic storyline, its heart truly beats with the powerful and enduring bond between sisters. This emphasis on familial love guided their creative process from its earliest stages.

A Symphony of Sisterly Affection: The Making of 'Voicemails for Isabelle'

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter on June 18, 2026, Grammy-nominated artist Este Haim and her collaborator Amanda Yamate shed light on their unique approach to crafting the musical landscape for Netflix's 'Voicemails for Isabelle.' The film, set to premiere on June 19, centers on Jill, portrayed by Zoey Deutch, who, following the passing of her sister Isabelle, begins to share her life's narratives through voicemails. Despite a romantic subplot involving Jill and Wes (Nick Robinson), the composers quickly identified the sisterly connection as the story's true emotional anchor.

Yamate recalled their initial viewing of the film with director Leah McKendrick, where a collective realization dawned: the film demanded a dedicated 'love theme' for the sisters. Consequently, the central musical motif, notably the track "This Party Sucks Without You," was conceived as an ode to Jill and Isabelle's relationship, appearing multiple times throughout the movie. Remarkably, the romantic pairing of Jill and Wes doesn't even receive its own distinct love theme, underscoring the composers' interpretive direction.

Their involvement began unusually early in the production cycle, a practice Yamate favors for fostering a deeper creative rapport. Haim described their preliminary work as a "musical word dump," a period of uninhibited experimentation. This exploratory phase even led to incorporating a distinct "hot Texas boy" sound for Wes, adding a layer of sonic character. For the sisters' theme, however, live winds and strings were chosen to convey the raw and delicate nature of their bond, resonating strongly with McKendrick's vision.

The creative journey, though filled with moments of laughter and even tears, as Yamate jokingly remarked, proved particularly special. It marked the first time the duo sang together on a score, a decision that felt intuitively right. For Haim, the project resonated deeply due to its thematic focus on family and sisterhood, a significant aspect of her own life. Drawing a profound personal connection, Haim, who lives with type one diabetes, Hashimoto's, and neuropathy, found parallels between Isabelle's illness and her own experiences with chronic conditions. She reflected on the unwavering support from her own sisters, Danielle and Alana, and how this personal understanding informed her portrayal of the sisters' dynamic, especially the universal desire not to be a burden to loved ones when facing health challenges.

This candid insight into Haim's personal life not only enriches our understanding of the film's score but also highlights the profound impact an artist's personal experiences can have on their creative output. The 'Voicemails for Isabelle' score stands as a testament to the power of sisterly love, a theme brought to life with heartfelt authenticity by Haim and Yamate.