In 2006, a slasher movie unlike any before was released. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon centers around reporter Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals), who is doing an exposé on legendary horror villains. To see what they’re like firsthand, she follows infamous killer Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel) on his killing spree.
Calling the movie “meta” doesn’t even begin to explore just how brilliant Behind the Mask is. The entire movie essentially breaks horror’s fourth wall and is both smart, hilarious, and scary, all at the same time. If you want to check out a truly unique slasher movie that’s loaded with a lot of heart…this is the one.
The plot is *chef’s kiss*
The concept of Behind the Mask is endlessly fun. Watching a news crew follow around a killer as he goes about his misadventures is such a smart and interesting way to frame the story. Plus, Leslie Vernon isn't like a real serial killer, he’s a horror villain. So he has to follow the steps of a horror movie when choosing his victims – like finding the slutty girl to die first, the dumb jock, and the powerful yet shy virgin who he will ultimately make his Final Girl.
This also helps give it a degree of sensationalism that is great. If this were a film crew following around a real serial killer…it probably wouldn’t be as interesting or as lighthearted. It would feel more gritty and macabre. But with Behind the Mask rooting itself in the slasher genre and presenting us with a new slasher villain, and not just a serial killer, it keeps the movie feeling lighter and more entertaining.
Just as Scream skewered horror tropes while also being a horror movie itself, Behind the Mask employs a similar tactic, albeit in a very different way. But the vibe is still there. It’s an excellent meta horror movie that, while being loaded with funny moments and great references, is still very much a horror film at its core.
It’s loaded with horror legends
Behind the Mask was a small indie film that had its premiere at South by Southwest in 2006, and a very limited release in 2007, where it screened in just a handful of theaters. But somehow (likely because of the film’s excellent script), it was able to attract horror icons to fill in its supporting roles.
Absolute legend Robert Englund has a pretty sizable role in the movie, starring as Doc Halloran. He essentially plays an homage character to Donald Pleasence’s Dr. Loomis from Halloween. In the film, he’s Leslie’s doctor, who keeps trying to chase him down before he can kill his victims.
Zelda Rubinstein of Poltergeist fame is also in the movie. She stars as the town’s librarian and unofficial historian, who helps Taylor learn the sinister backstory of Leslie, as well as more spooky information about the film’s lore.
Kane Hodder, known for playing Jason Voorhees and Leatherface, even makes a surprise cameo appearance, though I won’t say when…you’ll have to watch to find out!
The film’s twist is the ultimate shocking finale
I absolutely will not be disclosing what happens in the finale of Behind the Mask because it's one of the best twist endings I have ever seen, and it would be a cinematic sin for me to ruin that experience for you. Just know this: about ⅔’s into the movie, everything changes. The film goes in a wild new direction that’s absolutely amazing and (squeals just thinking about it) creates one of the greatest ending twists ever.
Why you need to watch Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
With a great cast and fantastic story, Behind the Mask isn’t just a meta horror film or a slasher parody. It’s a smart movie that’s both scary and extremely witty. On top of that, it’s loaded with horror icons and pays homage to classic slasher films, making it great for fans of the genre since it's filled with easter eggs and odes to horror history. Trust me, if you’re a horror fan, you will absolutely love Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.