While Breaking Bad was shot primarily on 35mm film in a 16:9 ratio, director transitioned El Camino to a 2.39:1 CinemaScope aspect ratio using the Arri Alexa 65. This shift wasn't just for flair; the wider frame was specifically designed to:
The expansive New Mexico landscapes, particularly the Painted Desert (where Jesse is forced to dig a grave), emphasize his isolation and the "Western" feel of his survival story. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie image
Cinematography techniques like a shallow depth of field keep Jesse sharply in focus while blurring the world around him, placing the audience directly inside his fractured, post-traumatic mind. The Symbolism of the El Camino While Breaking Bad was shot primarily on 35mm