Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: Frame Rate Twist Deepens On-Screen Emotion

Guillermo del Toro, the director behind the latest adaptation of Frankenstein, has let slip a fascinating detail about his approach to filming the interactions between Jacob Elordi’s Creature and Mia Goth’s Elizabeth. Rather than sticking to the usual 24 frames per second, del Toro opted for 36 frames per second whenever these two characters shared the screen. This subtle shift hasn’t gone unnoticed by punters, who’ve picked up on a different emotional energy in their scenes.

Del Toro’s Unconventional Approach

Responding to a fan’s observation about the pacing of a particular moment, del Toro explained his reasoning:

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…

This technique allowed him to play with the tempo of gestures and expressions, making some moments linger and others flicker by, all in service of drawing out the emotional undercurrents between the two characters.

Elizabeth and the Creature: A Unique Connection

Elizabeth, engaged to Victor Frankenstein’s brother William, stands out as one of the few who shows any real compassion towards the Creature, especially in the early days after his creation. While Victor keeps the Creature locked away in the basement, Elizabeth’s empathy and kindness set her apart from the rest of the cast. Del Toro’s choice to film their scenes differently gives their relationship a visual signature, making their connection feel more intimate and distinct.

Breaking Away from Tradition

Most films stick to the standard 24 frames per second, but by bumping it up to 36 for these key moments, del Toro has managed to highlight subtle details that might otherwise slip by. The result is a richer, more textured portrayal of the bond between Elizabeth and the Creature, with every glance and gesture carrying extra weight.

Frankenstein’s Star-Studded Cast

This new take on Mary Shelley’s classic features Oscar Isaac as the infamous scientist, with a supporting cast that includes Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Lars Mikkelsen. The film is now available for streaming, and with such a line-up, it’s no wonder locals are keen to see what all the fuss is about.