Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: The Frame Rate Secret Behind Elordi and Goth’s Emotional Scenes

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein has drawn attention for its striking portrayal of the relationship between Jacob Elordi’s Creature and Mia Goth’s Elizabeth. Audiences have noticed a distinct emotional intensity in their shared moments, and del Toro has now revealed the technical choice that underpins this effect.

Elevating Emotion Through Technical Craft

Responding to a viewer’s observation about the unusual pacing in certain scenes, del Toro explained that he filmed all interactions between the Creature and Elizabeth at 36 frames per second, rather than the industry standard of 24.

“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 deliberate adjustment allows for subtle manipulation of time, making gestures linger or flicker, and lending a heightened sense of feeling to every exchange.

Elizabeth’s Unique Connection with the Creature

Within the narrative, Elizabeth stands out as one of the few characters to show genuine compassion towards the Creature, especially in the early days following his creation. While engaged to Victor Frankenstein’s brother William, and the object of Victor’s own affections, Elizabeth’s empathy is most evident when the Creature is confined in the laboratory’s basement. Her kindness offers a rare glimmer of humanity in an otherwise bleak environment, and the altered frame rate serves to underscore the significance of their bond.

Visual Distinction and Storytelling

By increasing the frame rate for these particular scenes, del Toro introduces a subtle visual cue that sets the relationship between Elizabeth and the Creature apart from the rest of the film. The higher frame rate not only enhances the emotional resonance but also draws the viewer’s attention to minute details—whether it’s the flutter of a moth or the tremor of a hand—making each moment feel more intimate and immediate.

Cast and Release

Frankenstein, inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel, features Oscar Isaac as the eponymous scientist. The ensemble cast also includes Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Lars Mikkelsen, alongside Elordi and Goth. The film is currently available to stream on Netflix, joining a line-up of much-talked-about titles for viewers to explore.