Guillermo del Toro’s Unique Frame Rate Choice Deepens Frankenstein’s Emotions

Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed director behind Frankenstein, has shared a fascinating detail about his approach to filming the intense interactions between Jacob Elordi’s Creature and Mia Goth’s Elizabeth. Instead of sticking to the industry-standard 24 frames per second, del Toro opted for a higher frame rate during their scenes, creating a distinct visual and emotional impact that viewers have picked up on.

Elevating Emotion Through Cinematic Technique

Del Toro explained his creative choice in response to a fan’s observation about the pacing of a particular moment between the two characters.

“I shot all their scenes together at 36 frames per second so I could slow down certain moments/Gestures (wedding dress moth flutter float) or speed them (her face trembling in glove scene) and you can feel that effect leaning on every emotional beat…”

he wrote, highlighting how this method allowed him to manipulate the tempo of gestures and expressions, making every emotional nuance more pronounced.

Elizabeth, engaged to Victor Frankenstein’s brother William, stands out as one of the few characters to show genuine compassion toward the Creature. Her empathy is especially evident in the early days following the Creature’s creation, when Victor keeps him locked away in the basement beneath his laboratory. This unique bond is visually underscored by the director’s frame rate experiment, setting their relationship apart from the rest of the film.

Breaking Away from Tradition

Most films are shot at 24 frames per second, a standard that’s been in place for decades. By increasing the frame rate to 36 for these pivotal scenes, del Toro introduces a subtle but powerful distinction. The higher frame rate not only gives the footage a smoother, more lifelike quality, but also lets the audience catch details that might otherwise go unnoticed. The result is a heightened sense of intimacy and emotional depth between the two characters, drawing viewers deeper into their story.

This technical choice doesn’t just serve as a visual flourish—it’s a storytelling tool that amplifies the connection between Elizabeth and the Creature. The audience is invited to linger on their gestures, to notice the trembling of a hand or the flutter of a dress, and to feel the weight of every shared glance.

Frankenstein’s Star-Studded Cast and Streaming Debut

Frankenstein, inspired by Mary Shelley’s legendary Gothic novel, features Oscar Isaac as the brilliant but tormented scientist. Alongside Elordi and Goth, the ensemble includes Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Lars Mikkelsen. The film is now available to stream on Netflix, offering viewers a fresh take on a classic tale.

If you’re looking to expand your watchlist, there’s no shortage of standout movies on Netflix right now. Whether you’re waiting for the next season of Stranger Things or the latest Knives Out installment, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.