For self-proclaimed Swiftie Zoey Deutch, starring in Netflix’s new romantic comedy “Voicemails for Isabelle” came with an unexpected perk: not one, but two songs by Taylor Swift featured prominently in the film’s most emotional moments . The actress, 31, who plays lead character Jill, expressed her excitement during a recent interview, calling the inclusion a major win for fans of the pop superstar .

“Okay, humblebrag but not humble, we have two Tay Swift songs. As a Swiftie? That’s crazy,” Deutch told People Magazine, with her co-star Nick Robinson adding, “That’s huge” . The film features Swift’s “marjorie” from the Grammy-winning album folklore and “New Year’s Day” from Reputation, both placed at pivotal plot points to underscore the story’s emotional depth .

The movie centers on Jill, an aspiring pastry chef who copes with the death of her sister Isabelle by leaving voicemails on her late sibling’s phone number . Unbeknownst to her, the number has been reassigned to Wes, a real estate agent played by Robinson, who begins listening to her confessional messages and falls in love with her from afar . The soundtrack and score play a crucial role in bridging the comedy and grief at the heart of the story .

Deutch admitted she was initially skeptical the songs would make the final cut, assuming the tracks were just temporary placeholder music during early editing. She recalled asking director Leah McKendrick whether they would be able to secure the rights. “I’m a Swiftie, and it meant a lot, clearly. I don’t know how it happened. I’m thrilled. I saw the first cut. When I saw the first cut, I was like, ‘Oh, it’s temp music. What are you going to actually get there?’ [Director Leah McKendrick] was like, ‘No, we got them,’” Deutch shared .

“Marjorie” is used during a montage of Jill grappling with the loss of her sister, while “New Year’s Day” plays toward the end as Wes reflects on his feelings for Jill on New Year’s Eve . The director’s choice to bookend the film’s emotional journey with Swift’s music was highly intentional. McKendrick, who identifies as a “hardcore Swiftie,” explained that the songs mirror the shifting perspectives of the characters .

“In my mind, we have this girl who’s yearning, longing, grieving, and we have the perfect song: ‘Marjorie’ just feels so right,” McKendrick told ABC Audio. “But by the end, he’s the one longing, yearning, grieving — listening to Taylor Swift” . The director also praised Swift as the voice of a generation, noting how her music captures the full spectrum of love and heartbreak in a way that feels both accessible and poetic .

Beyond the soundtrack, the film includes a direct nod to Swift’s catalog. In a scene, Wes quotes the iconic lyric from Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do,” telling his friends, “I’m sorry. The old Wes can’t come to the phone right now. Because he’s dead” . The line provides a moment of levity that further cements the film’s connection to Swift’s cultural influence.

The musical credibility of “Voicemails for Isabelle” extends well beyond the needle drops. The film’s score was composed by Este Haim, a member of the band Haim and one of Swift’s close friends, alongside Amanda Yamate . Haim expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating that any movie featuring a Taylor Swift song is one she wants to be involved with . The music supervision team, led by Season Kent, worked to incorporate live strings and vocal harmonies to capture the raw emotion of Jill’s grief and personal journey .

The soundtrack also features a wide array of other artists, including Robyn, Kesha, Usher, and Benson Boone, blending nostalgic hits with contemporary tracks to complement the film’s San Francisco setting . The Netflix original film debuted on the streaming platform on June 19 and quickly became the No. 1 movie in the United States during its opening weekend . “Voicemails for Isabelle” also stars Nick Offerman, Lukas Gage, and Harry Shum Jr. .