Guillermo del Toro has shared a distinct approach to crafting emotional depth in his adaptation of Frankenstein, using an inventive Guillermo del Toro filmmaking technique to shape the relationship between Jacob Elordi’s Creature and Mia Goth’s Elizabeth. The director’s decision to adjust the technical aspects of filming offers audiences a novel way to experience the characters’ delicate connection on screen.
Innovative Use of Frame Rate Enhances Emotional Storytelling
Del Toro, renowned for experimenting with filmmaking approaches, selected an atypical frame rate for specific scenes featuring the Creature and Elizabeth. Rather than relying on the cinematic standard of 24 frames per second, these moments were captured at 36 frames per second. This intentional change allowed del Toro to exert precise control over how movement was portrayed, creating a subtly dreamlike rhythm in pivotal scenes.
Responding to a viewer who had noticed the peculiar motion, del Toro explained his reasoning behind the approach.
“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…”
— Guillermo del Toro, Director
This meticulous adjustment enabled him to highlight minute gestures, infusing interactions with richer emotion and a sense of intimacy. The effect gently draws viewers closer to the characters, without distracting from the narrative itself.
The Creature and Elizabeth: A Connection Set Apart
The unique filming method underscores the bond between Elizabeth, played by Mia Goth, and the Creature, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. Elizabeth is engaged to Victor Frankenstein’s brother William, while Victor himself—a role taken on by Oscar Isaac—maintains a complicated relationship with her. Amidst the tension and turmoil within the Frankenstein family, Elizabeth becomes the Creature’s sole source of genuine kindness and warmth.
Scenes featuring Elizabeth gently comforting the Creature, especially during his early days trapped in Victor’s basement laboratory, stand out for their emotional weight. Del Toro’s frame rate technique accentuates the tenderness of these interactions, providing a visual layer that distinguishes them from the harsher moments of the film.
The director used this approach selectively to make these exchanges feel subtly set apart from reality, heightening the details and deepening the sense of contrast between Elizabeth’s empathy and Victor’s growing sense of dread.
A Stellar Ensemble Brings Mary Shelley’s Gothic Tale to Life
This adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel is anchored by a notable cast. Oscar Isaac leads as Victor Frankenstein, joined by Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and Lars Mikkelsen. Alongside these performers, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth deliver memorable interpretations of the Creature and Elizabeth, respectively, bringing additional emotional resonance to their roles.
The ensemble works together to translate the complex dynamics of the Frankenstein story to the screen, with del Toro’s technical and creative choices significantly shaping the film’s tone and emotional depth.
Streaming and Viewer Experience
Frankenstein is currently available to watch on Netflix. For both new viewers and those returning to the film, understanding Guillermo del Toro’s deliberate filmmaking technique adds an extra dimension to the experience, especially in scenes featuring subtle gestures and profound emotional exchanges.
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… https://t.co/O28C0HvEx8
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 30, 2025
