Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon – Yeah it’s a girls name, wanna make something of it?

Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Genre: Comedy | Horror
Country: US
Director: Scott Glosserman
Stars: Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, Scott Wilson, Robert Englund

Imagine if you will a world where all the maniac psycho killers from your favorite horror flicks, are real. Where places and towns such as Crystal Lake, Springwood, and Haddonfield all exist, permanently scarred by horrific catastrophe and loss from the likes of Jason, Freddy, and Michael respectively. And now Glenn Echo appears to be earmarked to earn its membership in the growing list of tragedy towns by up-and-coming serial slasher, Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel). Leslie wants nothing more than to follow in the blood stained footprints of his deranged predecessors, but as an unknown in the murder industry, he feels he must find a way to bring attention to his potential. So in a shameless act of self-promotion, Leslie allows a documentary crew, led by Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals), to follow him around as he prepares to go on his maiden murderous rampage.

Shot mostly as a mockumentary, Behind The Mask is a hilarious, behind the scenes look at what makes a maniac psycho killer tick, and all the preparation and planning that goes into pulling off a successful strike. Leslie imbues us with tips on establishing a strike location, identifying a target group and subsequent survivor girl (being a virgin is of course a must), creating a mythos, and the importance of cardio. We even get to meet Leslie’s mentor, Eugene (Scott Wilson – holy crap that’s Hershel from The Walking Dead!), an old pro in the slasher biz from the 60’s and 70’s, who’s now retired from “the game”.

Eventually the tides turn for the documentary crew when they realize that this is all very “real” and innocent lives are at stake. A decision has to be made on whether to keep filming or step in and interfere with Leslie’s well laid plans.

Behind The Mask is a must for any true fan of horror. And although it contains horror elements, it’s not so much a horror film as it is an homage to the genre itself. With cameos from Robert Englund (Freddie Kruger), Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees), and Zelda Rubinstein (Poltergeist, The Scariest Places on Earth TV Show) this film is one long nudge-nudge, wink-wink to its target audience. And be sure to keep an eye out for several visual Easter eggs honoring such classic horror films as Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Evil Dead, and Hellraiser.

And who doesn’t love a maniac psycho killer that drives a Prius?